US20230411763A1 - Device, assembly, system and method for optical sight use - Google Patents
Device, assembly, system and method for optical sight use Download PDFInfo
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- US20230411763A1 US20230411763A1 US18/210,284 US202318210284A US2023411763A1 US 20230411763 A1 US20230411763 A1 US 20230411763A1 US 202318210284 A US202318210284 A US 202318210284A US 2023411763 A1 US2023411763 A1 US 2023411763A1
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
- H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
- H01M50/247—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
- F41G11/00—Details of sighting or aiming apparatus; Accessories
- F41G11/001—Means for mounting tubular or beam shaped sighting or aiming devices on firearms
- F41G11/003—Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
- H01M10/425—Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
- H01M10/48—Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
- H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
- H01M50/202—Casings or frames around the primary casing of a single cell or a single battery
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
- H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
- H01M50/271—Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
- H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
- H01M50/284—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders with incorporated circuit boards, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB]
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
- F41G1/00—Sighting devices
- F41G1/38—Telescopic sights specially adapted for smallarms or ordnance; Supports or mountings therefor
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M2220/00—Batteries for particular applications
- H01M2220/30—Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
Definitions
- This disclosure relates generally in the field of optical sights for projectile launching devices including, but not limited to firearms.
- optical sights are designed to enhance an image for viewing and/or aiming purposes.
- Other optical sights are manufactured to provide one or more additional operating functions, for example, one or more motion sensors for automatic ON/OFF powering, tilt sensors, light sensors, thermal sensors, touch sensors, shock sensors, biometric security, cameras, clocks, timers, GPS positioning, digital displays, digital shot counters, illumination sources, manual controls, electrical communication ports or interfaces, microphones, audible speakers, electronic compasses, bubble levels, and wireless connectivity.
- Commercially available optical sights with these types of operating functions are typically more expensive than conventional optical sights and conventional optical sights are not configured to add these types of operating functions post production.
- the present disclosure provides an accessory for use with a battery powered device, comprising (a) a battery compartment, the battery compartment comprising electrical input contacts; (b) control circuitry in electrical communication with the electrical input contacts; and (c) circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts; (d) wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with a power source and when the accessory is in electrical communication with the battery powered device, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the battery powered device.
- the present disclosure also provides an accessory for use with a device having a coin cell battery compartment, comprising (a) a battery compartment, the battery compartment comprising electrical input contacts operable with a coin cell battery; (b) a battery compartment cover; (c) control circuitry in electrical communication with the electrical input contacts; and (d) circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts; (e) wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with the coin cell battery and when the accessory is in electrical contact with the coin cell battery compartment of the device, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the device.
- the present disclosure also provides a method of providing one or more operating functions to a battery powered device powered by one or more removable batteries, comprising (a) electrically communicating an accessory with a battery powered device battery compartment of the battery powered device, the accessory comprising (1) a main body removably attachable to the battery powered device battery compartment, the main body including (i) a battery compartment, the battery compartment comprising electrical input contacts; (ii) control circuitry in electrical communication with the electrical input contacts; and (iii) circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts; (iv) wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with a power source and when the accessory is in electrical communication with the battery powered device battery compartment, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add the one or more operating functions to the battery powered device.
- FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary coin cell battery powered optical sight commercially available at the time of this disclosure.
- FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of another exemplary coin cell battery powered optical sight commercially available at the time of this disclosure.
- FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of another exemplary coin cell battery powered optical sight commercially available at the time of this disclosure.
- FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a removable battery compartment cover of a coin cell battery powered optical sight as shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 .
- FIG. 5 is another top perspective view of the coin cell battery powered optical sight of FIG. 2 with the battery compartment cover removed from the battery compartment of the optical sight.
- FIG. 6 is another top perspective view of the coin cell battery powered optical sight of FIG. 2 with the battery compartment cover and the coin cell battery removed from the battery compartment of the optical sight.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of part of a coin cell battery powered optical sight commercially available at the time of this disclosure with an empty battery compartment exposing an inner surface of the battery compartment.
- FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of an embodiment of a coin cell battery operable with an optical sight as shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 and 7 .
- FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of an exemplary battery compartment of a coin cell battery powered optical sight as shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 and 7 including a coin cell battery housed therein and a removable battery compartment cover attached thereto.
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a disassembled device of this disclosure.
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an assembled device of FIG. 10 .
- FIG. 12 is a sectional side view of the device of FIGS. 10 - 11 .
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a removable battery compartment cover of a coin cell battery powered optical sight as shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 ,
- FIG. 14 is a side view of an embodiment of a device of this disclosure.
- FIG. 15 is a side view of another embodiment of a device of this disclosure.
- FIG. 16 is a sectional side view of an embodiment of an assembled device of this disclosure depicting a detached battery cover.
- FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the device of FIG. 16 .
- FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a second positive contact of the battery cover of FIG. 16 .
- FIG. 19 is a sectional side view of the device of FIG. 16 depicting an attached battery cover.
- FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a second side of the printed circuit board of FIG. 16 .
- FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a first side of the printed circuit board of FIG. 20 .
- FIG. 22 is another sectional side view of the device of FIG. 16 depicting an attached battery cover.
- FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 16 installed on an optical sight.
- FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the device and optical sight of FIG. 23 with the optical sight mounted to a firearm.
- FIG. 25 is an electrical block diagram of control circuitry of a device of this disclosure.
- FIG. 26 is an electrical block diagram of control circuitry of a device of this disclosure.
- FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a device of this disclosure comprising a user input component including a push button.
- FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a device of this disclosure comprising a user input component including a switch in the form of a rotary dial switch.
- FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a device of this disclosure comprising a user input component including a biometric security scanner.
- FIG. 30 is a perspective view of part of a coin cell battery powered optical sight commercially available at the time of this disclosure with an empty battery compartment exposing an inner surface of the battery compartment.
- FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an optical sight comprising a cylindrical type battery compartment for housing a cylindrical battery.
- FIG. 32 is a sectional side view of a cylindrical type battery compartment of an optical sight.
- FIG. 33 is a sectional side view of the cylindrical type battery compartment of FIG. 32 including an embodiment of a device of this disclosure attached thereto.
- FIG. 34 is an electrical block diagram of control circuitry of a device of this disclosure.
- FIG. 35 is an electrical block diagram of control circuitry of a device of this disclosure.
- At least one means one or more devices or one device and a plurality of devices.
- the term “about” means that a value of a given quantity is within ⁇ 20% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ⁇ 15% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ⁇ 10% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ⁇ 7.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ⁇ 5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ⁇ 2.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ⁇ 1% of the stated value.
- substantially or “essentially” means that a value of a given quantity is within ⁇ 10% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ⁇ 7.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ⁇ 5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ⁇ 2.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ⁇ 1% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ⁇ 0.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ⁇ 0.1% of the stated value.
- the terms “may” and “may be” indicate a possibility of an occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specified property, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb by expressing one or more of an ability, capability, or possibility associated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of “may” and “may be” indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable, or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while taking into account that in some circumstances, the modified term may sometimes not be appropriate, capable, or suitable. For example, in some circumstances, an event or capacity can be expected, while in other circumstances, the event or capacity cannot occur. This distinction is captured by the terms “may” and “may be.”
- optical sight is discussed in terms of use with one or more projectile launching devices.
- optical sighting system the terms “optical sighting system,” “scope,” and “optical platform” may be used interchangeably with “optical sight.”
- reference to one or more “commercially available” optical sights includes optical sights commercially available as of the time of this disclosure and other optical sights made commercially available at a date later than this disclosure.
- a “projectile launching device” may include, but is not necessarily limited to a firearm and an archery bow.
- a firearm may include, but is not limited to a rifle, a shotgun, a pistol, a revolver, a shoulder fired apelooka, a shoulder fired rocket launcher, an air rifle, and a paintball gun.
- a firearm may include any type of action, for example, lever action, pump action, bolt action, break action.
- a firearm may be provided as a hand held firearm or a firearm mounted to a vehicle, watercraft or other mode of transportation.
- a firearm may be provided as a single shot, automatic or semiautomatic firearm. As understood by the skilled artisan, a particular firearm may be provided in different barrel lengths.
- An archery bow may include, but is not limited to a crossbow, a compound bow, a recurve bow or other device from which one or more arrows may be projected.
- Exemplary optical sights for use with one or more types of projectile launching devices may include, but are not limited to one or more telescopic riflescopes, one or more red dot sights, one or more prism sights, and one or more holographic sights as such terms are understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art firearm optics.
- Common telescopic riflescopes include fixed magnification scopes and variable magnification scopes.
- a “riflescope” refers to an optical sight used with a rifle and a “pistol scope” refers to an optical sight used with a pistol.
- optical sight reticle in relation to projectile launching devices each refers to lines and/or other markings or indicia found on an eyepiece of an optical sight.
- optical sight reticle reticle
- reticule may be used interchangeably.
- ON/OFF feature may be used interchangeably with the terms “ON/OFF switch” and “ON/OFF function.”
- an “illuminated reticle” refers to a reticle of an optical sight that may be illuminated via electrical components including a power source and one or more electrically powered and electrically controlled light sources of the optical sight.
- Exemplary light sources may include, but are not limited to one or more incandescent bulbs, one or more fluorescent bulbs, one or more light emitting diodes (“LEDs”), one or more resonant cavity light-emitting diodes (“RCLEDs”), one or more diode lasers, one or more organic LEDs, one or more vertical cavity surface emitting laser diodes (“VCSELs”), and combinations thereof.
- a reticle may be illuminated via a light emitting diode (“LED”) or an LED array and/or (2) a resonant cavity light-emitting diode (“RCLED”) or an RCLED array.
- a reticle may be illuminated via a diode laser, e.g., a reticle of a holographic optical sight.
- a reticle may be illuminated via a liquid crystal display (“LCD”).
- a reticle may be illuminated via an organic light-emitting diode (“OLED”) display.
- a reticle may be illuminated via a vertical cavity surface emitting laser diode (“VCSEL”).
- VCSEL vertical cavity surface emitting laser diode
- a “power source” of a device of this disclosure may include one or more batteries, one or more capacitors, one or more wireless charging circuits, one or more power jacks providing electrical power from one or more external sources, one or more kinetic energy harvester devices, and combinations thereof.
- a battery as discussed herein may include one or more batteries having (1) one or more sizes and/or configurations including, but not limited to AA batteries, AAA batteries, AAAA batteries, C batteries, D batteries, 9V batteries, CR123A batteries, 23A batteries, and coin cell batteries, (2) one or more types including, but not limited to lithium batteries, alkaline batteries, carbon zinc batteries, silver oxide batteries, zinc air batteries, rechargeable batteries, e.g., lithium-ion batteries, nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, and combinations thereof.
- a coin cell battery is commonly used to power electronics devices including but not limited to wrist watches, pocket calculators, small LED powered flash lights, automobile keyless entry transmitters, pedometers, optical sights, and the like.
- the terms “button cell battery,” “button cell,” “button style battery,” “coin cell battery,” “coin cell” and “coin style battery” may be used interchangeably.
- OE stands for original equipment
- OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer.
- the present disclosure is directed to an accessory that may be installed onto a device or “host device” that is powered by one or more removable batteries in a manner effective to add one or more operating functions (or “functions”) to the device.
- the present disclosure is directed to a device that may be installed onto an optical sight in a manner effective to add one or more operating functions to the optical sight.
- the present disclosure is directed to a multifunction add-on assembly for one or more optical sights.
- the present disclosure is directed to a multifunction battery compartment for one or more optical sights.
- the present disclosure is directed to a portable multifunction device for one or more optical sights.
- the present disclosure is directed to a multifunction add-on power supply system for one or more optical sights.
- the present disclosure is directed to a function adding device for installation onto at least one optical sight including, but not limited to at least one commercially available optical sight.
- the present disclosure is directed to a system and method for adding one or more operating functions to one or more optical sights.
- the present disclosure is directed to a method of adding one or more operating functions to one or more optical sights by installing onto one or more optical sights a device or assembly operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the one or more optical sights when the device or assembly is electrically communicated with a battery compartment of the one or more optical sights.
- the present disclosure is directed to a battery adapter device for one or more optical sights.
- One suitable battery adapter device is operationally configured to change the type of battery used as the power source of an optical sight compared to the OE battery requirements for the optical sight.
- an optical sight may be provided comprising an OE battery compartment operationally configured for a CR2032 coin cell lithium battery and a battery adapter device operationally configured to electrically communicate with the OE battery compartment may comprise a battery compartment operationally configured for a CR1632 coin cell lithium battery as a power source for the optical sight.
- the present disclosure is directed to a motion sensing battery compartment removably attachable to a battery compartment of one or more optical sights in a manner effective to provide electrical power to the one or more optical sights according to programmed operation of a motion sensor of the motion sensing battery compartment.
- the present disclosure is directed to a device that may be installed onto an empty, i.e., a battery free, battery compartment of an optical sight in a manner effective to add one or more operating functions to the optical sight.
- the device may include a battery compartment operationally configured to receive the same or like removable battery cover in threaded communication as the optical sight for housing the same or like battery as the optical sight therein.
- the present disclosure is directed to a method for adding motion sensing to an optical sight by installing onto a battery compartment of the optical sight a device operationally configured to provide a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF power function to the optical sight.
- the present disclosure is directed to a method for adding low battery sensing and low battery indication to an optical sight by installing onto a battery compartment of the optical sight a device operationally configured to provide a low battery sensing and low battery indication function to the optical sight.
- the present disclosure is directed to a method for retrofitting an optical sight to include one or more operating functions not provided as part of the manufactured design of the optical sight.
- the present disclosure is directed to a method of changing one or more add-on operating functions for an optical sight by using two or more multifunction add-on devices that may be interchangeably installed onto an optical sight as desired to make use of one or more operating functions provided by a particular multifunction add-on device.
- the present disclosure is directed to a system for providing add-on operation function interchangeability for one or more optical sights.
- the system includes one or more optical sights and one or more devices operationally configured to provide one or more add-on operating functions to the one or more optical sights.
- the system includes one or more optical sights and one or more multifunction add-on devices for one or more optical sights.
- the present disclosure is directed to an assembly for adding one or more operating functions to one or more optical sights.
- the assembly comprises at least a housing including a battery compartment, control circuitry, and positive and negative power output electrical contacts.
- the present disclosure is directed to a motion sensing coin cell battery compartment device, assembly, system and method for one or more optical sights.
- the motion sensing battery compartment device may be operationally configured as an OE battery compartment for one or more optical sights.
- the motion sensing battery compartment may be operationally configured as a substitute battery compartment for one or more optical sights.
- the present disclosure is directed to a low battery sensing coin cell battery compartment device, assembly, system and method for one or more optical sights.
- the present disclosure is directed to a motion sensing battery compartment for installation onto a battery compartment of one or more firearm optical sights. Once installed onto a firearm optical sight, the motion sensing battery compartment is operationally configured to detect motion of the optical sight and control powering of the optical sight according to movement of the optical sight.
- the present disclosure is directed to a motion sensing battery compartment operationally configured to electrically communicate with battery compartments of one or more optical sights in a manner effective to control powering of the one or more optical sights according to detected motion of the one or more optical sights.
- the present disclosure is directed to a substitute battery compartment for one or more optical sights that is operationally configured to provide at least motion sensing automatic ON/OFF power functionality to the one or more optical sights when electrically communicated with a battery compartment of the one or more optical sights.
- the present disclosure is directed to a portable battery compartment for one or more optical sights.
- the portable battery compartment comprises an automatic ON/OFF power function operationally configured for use with one or more optical sights.
- the present disclosure is directed to a system comprising (1) a removable motion sensing battery compartment device for one or more optical sights, the motion sensing battery compartment device being operable with a battery compartment of one or more commercially available optical sights, and (2) a removable coin cell battery, wherein the removable motion sensing battery compartment device comprises control circuitry operationally configured to provide automatic ON/OFF powering of one or more optical sights including, but not necessarily limited to one or more third party firearm optical sights known at the time of this disclosure.
- the present disclosure is directed to a motion sensing device for one or more optical sights, the motion sensing device having control circuitry and a threaded surface operationally configured for use with battery compartments of the one or more optical sights.
- the motion sensing device is operationally configured to (1) electrically communicate with the electrical contacts within a battery compartment of a particular optical sight and (2) electrically communicate with a coin cell battery including, but not limited to a coin cell battery common to the optical sight, i.e., the same or like coin cell battery powering the optical sight.
- the present disclosure is directed to a motion sensing assembly for use with an optical sight of a projectile launching device, the optical sight having a battery compartment and a corresponding removable battery cover, wherein the motion sensing assembly is operationally configured to electrically communicate with the battery compartment of the optical sight in a manner effective to power the optical sight.
- the motion sensing assembly comprises a main body operationally configured to house a coin cell battery and an attachment surface for the removable battery cover or a like removable battery cover that is operationally configured to enclose the coin cell battery in the battery compartment of the main body.
- the motion sensing battery compartment is operationally configured to power the optical sight according to detected motion of the optical sight.
- the present disclosure is directed to a motion sensing battery compartment for use with one or more optical sights of one or more projectile launching devices, wherein each of the one or more optical sights includes an OE battery compartment and a corresponding removable battery cover as part of its original construction for housing a removable coin cell battery.
- the present disclosure is directed to a removable accessory operationally configured be removably attached to a battery compartment of a host device in a manner the same or similar that a host device battery cover is attached and removed on and off from the battery compartment of the host device.
- a host device battery compartment operationally configured to receive a battery cover in threaded communication an accessory of this disclosure may be operationally configured to be threadedly communicated to the battery compartment of the host device.
- an accessory of this disclosure may be operationally configured to include a snap-on configuration for communicating with the battery compartment of the host device.
- an accessory of this disclosure may be operationally configured to include a quarter-turn locking type configuration for communicating with the battery compartment of the host device.
- an accessory of this disclosure may be hingedly attached to the host device in a manner effective for the accessory to communicate with the battery compartment of the host device.
- a device as described herein is operationally configured for use with one or more devices powdered by one or more removable batteries including, but not limited to one or more optical sights comprising a battery compartment.
- a device of this disclosure is operationally configured for use with coin cell battery compartments of one or more battery powered host devices such as one or more optical sights, including, but not limited to (1) one or more riflescopes 5 , (2) one or more reflex tube sights 6 (hereafter referred to as “red dot sights 6 ”), and (3) one or more prism sights 7 —which may be collectively referred to herein as “optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 .”
- One or more optical sights including, but not limited to (1) one or more riflescopes 5 , (2) one or more reflex tube sights 6 (hereafter referred to as “red dot sights 6 ”), and (3) one or more prism sights 7 —which may be collectively referred to herein as “optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 .”
- Non-limiting examples of coin cell battery powered red dot sights 6 are described herein in reference to FIGS. 2 , 5 and 6
- a non-limiting example of a coin cell battery powered prism sight 7 is described herein in reference to FIG. 3 .
- a device of this disclosure may be operationally configured to electrically communicate with an empty coin cell battery compartment of an optical sight 5 , 6 or 7 in a manner effective to at least add one or more operating functions to the optical sight 5 , 6 or 7 .
- a device of this disclosure may be operationally configured to electrically communicate with an empty coin cell battery compartment of an optical sight 5 , 6 or 7 in a manner effective to add one or more operating functions and supply electrical power to the optical sight 5 , 6 or 7 .
- optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 at the time of this disclosure commonly include a power input system comprising (1) a coin cell battery compartment 10 (“battery compartment 10 ”) and (2) a removable battery compartment cover 15 (“battery cover 15 ”) operationally configured to secure a power source such as a removable coin cell battery 35 within the battery compartment 10 in a manner effective for the coin cell battery 35 to supply electrical power to the optical sight.
- battery compartment 10 are provided as knob or turret type structures or bodies with a cylindrical inner surface of a size suitable for housing a circular coin cell battery 35 therein (see FIG.
- a battery cover 15 typically has a cylindrical outer threaded surface 16 for threaded communication with an inner threaded surface 11 (see FIG. 5 ) of a battery compartment 10 allowing the battery cover 15 to be screwed on and off of the battery compartment 10 as desired.
- a threaded surface 11 of a battery compartment 10 commonly has an inner thread diameter of or about 22.0 mm (0.87 inches) to or about 26.0 mm (1.02 inches) although other inner thread diameters are herein contemplated as an optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 may be built to scale.
- a battery compartment 10 may also comprise one or more rotary dials 20 (see FIG. 2 ) operationally configured to control one or more operating functions of an optical sight, for example, (1) to adjust LED brightness for illuminating a corresponding reticle of the optical sight; and/or (2) to turn the optical sight ON/OFF.
- the battery cover 15 may have an outer perimeter surface 17 the same or substantially similar in appearance and/or outer diameter as the outer surface 13 of all or a portion of the battery compartment 10 and/or the rotary dial 20 thereby providing an aesthetically consistent exterior appearance and bettering manual operation of the rotary dial 20 and battery cover 15 .
- an outer surface 13 of a battery compartment 10 , battery cover 15 and rotary dial 20 may include a textured outer surface including one or more raised surfaces 12 for ease of finger manipulation (see FIG. 2 ).
- raised surfaces 12 include, but are not limited to raised bumps, dimples, grooves, knurling, and combinations thereof.
- the outermost surface 18 of a battery cover 15 may include one or more surface configurations including an ornamental appearance as desired, for example, a slightly curved surface or a planar or partially planar surface or other ornamental appearance.
- an outermost surface 18 may also include at least one slotted surface 19 for receiving a tool therein to assist in turning the battery cover 15 both clockwise and counter-clockwise when screwing the battery cover 15 on and off of a corresponding battery compartment 10 .
- Common tools for use with a slotted surface 19 may include, but are not limited to a manufacturer provided tool, a screwdriver or other hand held tool.
- a common battery cover 15 may also include a slotted surface 19 with a size effective to receive part of a monetary coin therein, e.g., a United States penny, quarter, nickel, dime, and/or the equivalent to assist in turning the battery cover 15 .
- a slotted surface 19 of a battery cover 15 is commonly referred to in the art as a “coin-slot.”
- Coin cell batteries 35 operable for powering optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 are typically of the conventional type as shown in the simplified illustration of FIG. 8 , including an anode case 40 , an anode 41 , a cathode case 45 , a cathode 46 and a separator 50 disposed between the anode 41 and cathode 46 .
- the anode case 40 forms the negative terminal
- the cathode case 45 forms the positive terminal of the coin cell battery 35 .
- the orientation of a coin cell battery 35 within a battery compartment 10 is suitably determined according to the orientation of the electrical input contacts within the battery compartment 10 , for example, see FIG. 5 , which depicts a coin cell battery 35 located within a battery compartment 10 with the positive cathode case 45 side of the coin cell battery 35 facing outward.
- Conventional coin cell batteries 35 for optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 typically have a service life up to or about 50,000 hours and are offered in various sizes, for example, in a diameter of or about 16.0 mm to or about 20.0 mm and a height (or thickness) of or about 3.2 mm—or other dimensions as may be desired according to operational power and/or size requirements of a particular optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- a coin cell battery 35 for use with optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 comprises a lithium coin cell battery including, but not limited to a CR2032 coin cell lithium battery having specifications as shown in Table 1.
- a coin cell battery 35 for use with optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 comprises a lithium coin cell battery including, but not limited to a CR1632 coin cell lithium battery having specifications as shown in Table 2.
- a coin cell battery 35 that may be used with an optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 includes a LR44/AG13 alkaline zinc manganese coin cell battery.
- a battery compartment 10 of an optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 is suitably provided with sufficient space to house a particular size coin cell battery 35 within the battery compartment 10 without hindering a battery cover 15 from being properly secured to the battery compartment 10 as depicted in FIGS. 1 , 2 and 3 .
- a battery compartment 10 of an optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 typically includes a floor 21 for receiving a coin cell battery 35 wherein the floor 21 comprises a negative contact 25 , e.g., a negative contact plate or the like, operationally configured to contact an anode case 40 of a coin cell battery 35 when the coin cell battery 35 is housed within the battery compartment 10 .
- a negative contact 25 e.g., a negative contact plate or the like, operationally configured to contact an anode case 40 of a coin cell battery 35 when the coin cell battery 35 is housed within the battery compartment 10 .
- an operable negative contact 25 is not limited to a particular shape or form.
- negative contact 25 may also be referred to as “negative battery contact 25 .”
- a battery compartment 10 also includes a positive contact 30 such as a positive contact ring, along the inner perimeter of the battery compartment 10 operationally configured to contact a cathode case 45 of a coin cell battery 35 along the outer perimeter of a coin cell battery 35 to complete an electric circuit, thereby providing power to control circuitry of an optical sights 5 , 6 , or 7 , e.g., providing power to a light source such as a LED or LED array and/or other electronics of an optical sights 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- positive contact 30 may also be referred to as “positive battery contact 30 .”
- the inner surface 26 of the battery cover 15 suitably applies a force to the coin cell battery 35 therein maintaining proper contact of the coin cell battery 35 with the negative contact 25 and the positive contact 30 .
- part of the battery cover 15 also suitably applies a force to the battery compartment 10 to form a seal with the O-ring 14 .
- non-limiting examples of commercially available riflescopes 5 using a coin cell battery 35 include the Primary Arms® SLx 1-6 ⁇ 24 mm SFP Rifle Scope Gen III and the Primary Arms® SLx 3-18 ⁇ 50 mm FFP Rifle Scope available from Primary Arms, L.L.C., Houston, Tex., U.S.A.
- Non-limiting examples of commercially available red dot sights 6 using a coin cell battery 35 at the time of this disclosure include the Primary Arms® SLx Advanced Rotary Knob Microdot Red Dot Sight and the Primary Arms® SLx MD-25 Rotary Knob 25 mm Microdot available from Primary Arms, L.L.C., Houston, Tex., U.S.A.
- Non-limiting examples of commercially available prism sights 7 using a coin cell battery 35 at the time of this disclosure include the Primary Aims® SLx 5 ⁇ 36 mm Gen III Prism Scope, the Primary Arms® SLx 1 ⁇ MicroPrism Prism Scope, and the Primary Arms® GLx 2 ⁇ Prism Scope available from Primary Arms, L.L.C., Houston, Tex., U.S.A.
- optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 include a battery compartment 10 with a rotary dial 20
- one non-limiting example of a commercially available optical sight having a coin cell battery compartment 10 without a rotary dial 20 includes a red dot sight 6 such as the Primary Arms® SLx Advanced Push Button Micro Red Dot Sight—Gen II available from Primary Arms, L.L.C., Houston, Tex., U.S.A.
- FIGS. 10 - 12 illustrate an embodiment of an accessory 100 (hereafter “device 100 ”) of this disclosure operationally configured for use with one or more coin cell battery powered optical sights including, but not limited to one or more of optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 .
- the device 100 is operationally configured as an electro-mechanical interface for supplying electrical power and adding one or more operating functions to a corresponding optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- the device 100 comprises at least a main body 101 housing control circuitry 109 , and once the device 100 is electrically communicated with a battery compartment 10 of an optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 , the device 100 is operationally configured to supply electrical power and add one or more operating functions to the optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- the main body 101 includes a battery compartment 110 comprising electrical input contacts including at least a negative battery contact 125 and a positive battery contact 126 in electrical communication with control circuitry 109 of the device 100 wherein the negative battery contact 125 and positive battery contact 126 are operationally configured to make electrical contact with a coin cell battery 35 that is housed in the battery compartment 110 for suppling electrical power to both the device 100 and to the optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 to which the device 100 is installed.
- the main body 101 also includes circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts housed in the main body 101 including a positive power output contact or positive terminal 127 and a negative power output contact or negative terminal 128 in electrical communication with the control circuitry 109 and operationally configured to electrically communicate with a negative contact 25 and a positive contact 30 within a battery compartment 10 of a corresponding optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- the device 100 may also include a power output insulating ring 129 disposed between the positive terminal 127 and the negative terminal 128 .
- the device 100 may comprise a battery compartment cover (hereafter “battery cover 105 ”) operationally configured to threadedly communicate with the main body 101 .
- the device 100 may be provided without a battery cover 105 , and, although a battery cover 105 is not necessarily required for operation of the device 100 , a battery cover 105 is operationally configured to promote reliable electrical contact between a coin cell battery 35 and the negative battery contact 125 and positive battery contact 126 , prevent unwanted removal of the coin cell battery 35 from the battery compartment 110 , and prevent moisture and/or dirt from entering the battery compartment 110 .
- a battery cover 105 may also comprise one or more secondary positive contacts attached thereto to promote reliable electrical contact of the device 100 with a coin cell battery 35 housed within the battery compartment 110 when the battery cover 105 is threadedly communicated with the main body 101 .
- a suitable battery cover 105 of the device 100 comprises a cylindrical neck 122 including a threaded outer surface 106 and a flange 123 as shown.
- a battery cover 105 may also include one or more raised surfaces for ease of finger manipulation when screwing the battery cover 105 on and off of a corresponding battery compartment 110 .
- the main body 101 and corresponding battery cover 105 may comprise one or more interrupted thread patterns.
- a battery cover 105 may be provided as a flangeless cylindrical member.
- the main body 101 of the device 100 may be operationally configured to receive a battery cover 105 in a flush position with respect to the opening of the battery compartment 110 .
- the main body 101 and corresponding battery cover 105 may be provided as a snap-on type cover configuration or a quarter-turn type locking cover configuration.
- a battery cover 105 may be hingedly attached to the main body 101 .
- the main body 101 may include a drawer type battery compartment for housing a coin cell battery 35 .
- the battery compartment 110 of the main body 101 comprises a floor 115 and a first threaded inner surface 116 operationally configured as an attachment surface to threadedly communicate with the threaded outer surface 106 of a corresponding battery cover 105 .
- a battery cover 15 of an optical sight such as optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 may be removed from the optical sight and used as the battery cover 105 for threadedly communicating with the battery compartment 110 of the device 100 .
- the first threaded inner surface 116 of the battery compartment 110 suitably comprises a thread pattern and inner diameter like a threaded surface 11 of a battery compartment 10 of an optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 from which the battery cover 15 originates.
- an outer surface 107 of the battery cover 105 of the device 100 may include one or more surface configurations and at least one slotted surface 119 as described above to assist in turning the battery cover 105 both clockwise and counter-clockwise when screwing the battery cover 105 on and off of a corresponding battery compartment 110 .
- a battery cover 105 of a device 100 may include one or more tooling holes or tooling cavities 112 operationally configured to receive a tool therein to assist in turning the battery cover 105 both clockwise and counter-clockwise on and off of a corresponding battery compartment 110 (see FIG. 13 ).
- the battery compartment 110 may comprise one or more negative battery contacts 125 and one or more positive battery contacts 126
- the main body 101 may comprise one or more circuitry-controlled positive output contacts 127 and one or more circuitry-controlled negative output contacts 128 that correspond to electrical input contacts of a battery compartment of the host device.
- the control circuitry 109 may include one or more printed circuit boards (“PCB”) comprising one or more design specifications including a patterned arrangement of printed circuitry and solid state electronic components mounted to the surface of the PCB.
- PCB printed circuit boards
- a PCB of a device 100 of this disclosure may be operationally configured to control or regulate the output power, the output voltage and the rate of electric current of the device 100 .
- a PCB of a device 100 of this disclosure may be operationally configured to feed electrical power at a controlled voltage and a controlled rate to a negative contact 25 and a positive contact ring 30 in a battery compartment 10 of an optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 in a manner effective to power the optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- One suitable PCB of a device 100 of this disclosure may include an integrated circuit such as a microcontroller unit (“MCU”), peripheral hardware including one or more input devices and one or more other PCB components for desired operation of a device 100 .
- a MCU of this disclosure may include, but is not limited to a central processing unit (“CPU”), random-access memory (“RAM”), flash memory, a serial bus interface, input/output ports (“I/O Ports”), a special function register (“SFR”) for controlling peripheral circuitry, read-only memory (“ROM”), one or more voltage regulator circuits, one or more voltage measurement circuits, and combinations thereof.
- CPU central processing unit
- RAM random-access memory
- flash memory a serial bus interface
- I/O Ports input/output ports
- SFR special function register
- One or more input devices to implement one or more peripheral functions may include, but are not limited to one or more motion sensors, one or more tilt sensors, one or more light sensors, one or more thermal sensors, one or more image sensors, one or more capacitive touch sensors, one or more biometric sensors, one or more time delay relay circuits, one or more clock circuits, one or more counter circuits, one or more wireless control circuits, one or more analog-to-digital converters, one or more digital-to-analog converters, one or more power regulation circuits, one or more voltage sensors, circuits to perform logic functions, one or more electromagnetic sensors, one or more global positioning system (“GPS”) antennas, and combinations thereof.
- An electromagnetic sensor includes a radio frequency sensor (“RF sensor”).
- PCB components may include, but are not limited to one or more resistors, one or more capacitors, one or more inductors, one or more diodes, one or more relays, one or more transistors, and other electrical components as may be required for a particular operation of the device 100 and/or corresponding optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- a PCB may include one or more resistors operationally configured to control output current to a corresponding optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 , e.g., control the output current for modifying illumination brightness of a reticle of a corresponding optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- a PCB may include one or more variable resistors, e.g., a rheostat, for varying the illumination brightness of a corresponding optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- One or more operating functions that may be added to one or more optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 via a device 100 comprising control circuitry 109 as described above may include, but are not limited to a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF function, a light sensing function, a thermal sensing function, a shock sensing function, one or more informational digital display functions, a video recording function, an audio recording function, a voice recognition function, a microphone function, an audible speaker function, one or more clock functions, one or more timer functions, one or more illumination functions, e.g., one or more indicator light functions, one or more flashlight functions, one or more wireless connectivity functions, i.e., wire-replacement communications technology, electrical communication port or interface functionality, and combinations thereof.
- Non-limiting examples of sensor driven control functions that may be added to one or more optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 via a particular device 100 include (1) battery voltage dependent illumination via one or more battery voltage sensors, (2) inclination-dependent illumination (axial load and/or lateral load) via one or more tilt sensors or one or more accelerometers, (3) ambient light dependent illumination via one or more ambient light sensors and a pulse width modulation (“PWM”) brightness control circuit, (4) a shot counter or digital counter using a motion sensor, a shock sensor or an accelerometer, (5) a firearm shot timer using a clock, a shock sensor, a microphone or an accelerometer as a trigger, and an audible speaker, a digital display, one or more LEDs and/or LED arrays, or a wireless connectivity technology to report measured time to a firearm user or other(s), (6) GPS positioning for determining a position of a corresponding device 100 in real time and relay the determined position to one or more remote devices via a wireless connection or via manual download, (7) user authentication based on biometric data and
- Non-limiting examples of wireless connectivity technology may include, but are not limited to one or more of radio frequency (“RF”) signals, infrared (“IR”) radiation wireless technology, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth® technology, commercially available from Bluetooth SIG, Inc., Kirkland, Wash., U.S.A.
- RF radio frequency
- IR infrared
- Wi-Fi Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth® technology commercially available from Bluetooth SIG, Inc., Kirkland, Wash., U.S.A.
- a main body 101 of a device 100 of this disclosure may include one or more functional components including (1) one or more digital displays, e.g., a GPS positioning display, (2) one or more illumination sources, e.g., one or more LEDs and/or LED arrays, one or more incandescent bulbs, (3) one or more audible speakers, (4) one or more electronic compasses, (5) one or more bubble levels, (6) one or more angle sensors, (7) one or more analog dials, (8) one or more user input components, (9) one or more low battery indicators, e.g., an indicator light, and combinations thereof not otherwise provided on a corresponding optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- one or more digital displays e.g., a GPS positioning display
- illumination sources e.g., one or more LEDs and/or LED arrays, one or more incandescent bulbs
- one or more audible speakers (4) one or more electronic compasses, (5) one or more bubble levels, (6) one or more angle sensors, (7)
- Non-limiting examples of user input components may include, but are not limited to (1) one or more external manual controls, (2) one or more camera lenses, (3) one or more electrical communication ports or interfaces, (4) one or more microphones, and combinations thereof.
- Non-limiting examples of one or more external manual controls may include, but are not limited to one or more push buttons, one or more switches, one or more touch screens, one or more touch pads, one or more keypads, one or more touch sensors (capacitive touch sensors and/or resistive touch sensors), one or more biometric security scanners such as fingerprint scanners, face recognition scanners.
- Non-limiting examples of electrical communication ports include, but are not limited to coaxial inputs, USB ports, ADAT connections, FireWire connections, external power supply connections, e.g., AC power jack inputs, DC power jack inputs, and combinations thereof.
- Non-limiting examples of USB ports contemplated at the time of this disclosure include, but are not limited to USB Type A, USB Type B, USB Type C, USB 4.0, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, USB Mini, USB Micro, USB Micro B, and combinations thereof.
- Other known electrical communication ports may be employed as may be desired for one or more particular operations. As understood by the skilled artisan, in time, one or more future electrical communication ports not known at the time of this disclosure may be employed as part of a device 100 of this disclosure.
- a PCB layout and/or ornamental design of a particular device 100 may vary according to the one or more operating functions to be added to a particular optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 via the device 100 .
- the control circuitry 109 logic of the device 100 may be comprised of analog logic elements, digital logic elements, and combinations thereof.
- a device 100 of this disclosure may be operationally configured to modify the illumination circuit performance characteristics of the optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 by (1) providing automatic sensor based regulation of illumination brightness of the optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 to extend the life of one or more power sources, e.g., one or more batteries, and/or to optimize brightness performance and/or to indicate low battery voltage by flashing illumination, e.g., periodically flashing illumination ON/OFF a number of times to indicate a low battery level when measured voltage falls below a set value corresponding to a battery voltage of 2.2 volts, (2) adding external manual controls to toggle illumination ON/OFF and/or to toggle illumination brightness through two or more brightness levels, (3) providing an optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 with one or more additional power sources, e.g., one or more additional batteries, (4) providing an electrical communication port to provide power to the optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 via a remote power source,
- one or more power sources e.g., one or more batteries
- the main body 101 of this embodiment comprises an outer surface 102 including at least a first threaded surface 103 operationally configured to threadedly communicate or otherwise removably attach with a threaded surface 11 of a battery compartment 10 .
- the first threaded surface 103 suitably comprises a thread pattern and outer diameter for operation with battery compartments 10 of one or more optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 .
- the first threaded surface 103 of this embodiment may be referred to as a “threaded mounting surface” of the device 100 .
- a main body 101 may comprise an outer diameter the same or substantially similar as the outer diameter of a corresponding battery compartment 10 and/or rotary dial 20 as shown in the non-limiting examples of FIGS. 14 and 15 .
- the main body 101 may include an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of a corresponding battery compartment 10 and/or rotary dial 20 .
- an outer surface 102 of the device 100 may include an aesthetically neutral type ornamental exterior appearance for use with a plurality of optical sight battery compartments 10 of varying ornamental exterior surfaces.
- One non-limiting neutral type surface may include a flat or smooth surface as depicted in FIG. 14 .
- a main housing 101 of the device 100 may include a textured outer surface 102 including one or more raised outer surfaces similar as described above providing an ornamental exterior appearance for use with one or more particular optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 .
- the main housing 101 of the device 100 may include an outer surface 102 in any number of configurations corresponding to one or more particular battery compartments 10 of one or more optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 .
- a textured outer surface 102 may assist a user in manually turning the main housing 101 both clockwise and counter-clockwise when screwing the main housing 101 on and off of a corresponding battery compartment 10 .
- a device 100 of this disclosure may be operationally configured for use with one or more commercially available optical sights 5 , 6 , 7
- the battery compartment 110 may be operationally configured to receive the same coin cell battery 35 as used by an optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 equipped with the device 100 and/or a like coin cell battery 35 and/or any other type of coin cell battery that is operable with the battery compartment 110 .
- a battery compartment 110 may comprise a negative battery contact 125 and positive battery contact 126 configuration the same or similar as a battery compartment 10 as depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7 . As shown in FIG.
- the floor 115 of the battery compartment 110 may comprise (1) a negative battery contact 125 , e.g., a negative contact plate 125 , operationally configured to contact an anode case 40 of a coin cell battery 35 and (2) a positive battery contact 126 along the inner perimeter of the battery compartment 110 operationally configured to contact a cathode case 45 of a coin cell battery 35 in a manner the same or substantially similar as a battery compartment 10 described above.
- a negative battery contact 125 e.g., a negative contact plate 125
- a positive battery contact 126 along the inner perimeter of the battery compartment 110 operationally configured to contact a cathode case 45 of a coin cell battery 35 in a manner the same or substantially similar as a battery compartment 10 described above.
- the positive terminal 127 and the negative terminal 128 housed in the main body 101 are suitably operationally configured to electrically communicate with a negative contact 25 and a positive contact 30 within a battery compartment 10 of an optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 in a manner effective to convey electrical power from the coin cell battery 35 in the battery compartment 110 to the optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- the device 100 is also operationally configured as a substitute battery compartment for an optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- FIGS. 16 - 23 illustrate an embodiment of a device 100 operationally configured for use with one or more coin cell battery powered optical fights including, but not limited to the one or more optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 .
- a device 100 of this embodiment is also operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to one or more optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 as desired and/or as may otherwise be required for one or more. particular optical sight operations.
- a device 100 of this embodiment is described below as being operationally configured to add a wake-up system such as a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF function to an optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 when the device 100 is electrically communicated with a battery compartment 10 of the optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF function of a device 100 of this disclosure refers to an activation and deactivation function of an illumination source for a reticle of a corresponding optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 via the control circuitry 109 of the device 100 without completely powering the control circuitry 109 to a true power OFF position when the illumination source for the reticle is deactivated.
- the device 100 is operationally configured to maintain an electric current providing a low power idle type setting of the control circuitry 109 of the device 100 when an illumination source for a reticle of a corresponding optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 is deactivated to a lowest most illumination setting.
- the device 100 includes a main body 101 and a battery cover 105 operationally configured to threadedly communicate with the main body 101 .
- the main body 101 comprises an outer surface 102 including at least an outer perimeter surface 111 , a first threaded outer surface 103 , and a second threaded outer surface 113 .
- the main body 101 also comprises an inner surface 104 including at least a first threaded inner surface 116 and a second threaded inner surface 117 .
- the main body 101 is operationally configured as a housing for other components of the device 100 including at least a negative terminal 128 (or “negative terminal plunger 128 ”), a positive terminal 127 (or “positive terminal ring 127 ”), an insulator 129 (or “insulator ring 129 ”) disposed between the negative terminal 128 and the positive terminal 127 , a negative contact spring 132 , control circuitry 109 including a PCB 120 , a negative battery contact 125 in electrical communication with the PCB 120 , e.g., soldered to the PCB 120 , and a positive battery contact 126 (or “positive contact ring 126 ”).
- the negative terminal 128 comprises a cap type member including a sidewall 136 of a first outer diameter, a closed end 135 and an outward annular flange 137 of a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter.
- the negative terminal 128 is disposed within an annular insulator ring 129 comprising an inward annular flange 140 operationally configured to overlap the outward annular flange 137 of the negative terminal 128 in a manner effective to maintain the negative terminal 128 disposed within the annular insulator ring 129 .
- the annular insulator ring 129 further comprises an outward annular flange 141 operationally configured to overlap an inward annular flange 143 of the positive terminal 127 .
- the positive terminal 127 further comprises an outward annular flange 144 operationally configured to overlap a circular projection 145 disposed along the inner surface 104 of the main body 101 .
- a first side 121 of the PCB 120 is set in abutment with a second side 139 of the positive terminal 127 and a second side 146 of the annular insulator ring 129 .
- a second side 148 of the PCB 120 acts as a floor for a first side 149 of the positive contact ring 126 and an anode case 40 of a removable coin cell battery 35 .
- the positive contact ring 126 comprises a threaded outer surface 147 operationally configured to threadedly communicate with the second threaded inner surface 117 of the main body 101 in a manner effective to form a close fit of the components assembled within the main body 101 thereby preventing or minimizing linear movement of the components in either direction along the central axis A-A of the device 100 (see directional arrow 90 A in FIG. 19 ) and also provide operable electrical communication between the device 100 and a corresponding battery compartment 10 of an optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- an outer perimeter surface 131 of the PCB 120 and an outer perimeter surface 133 of the positive terminal 127 lie in abutment with the inner surface 104 of the main body 101
- an outer perimeter surface 134 of the insulator ring 129 lies in abutment with an inner surface 138 of the positive terminal 127
- the sidewall 136 of the negative terminal 128 lies in abutment with an inner surface 142 of the inward annular flange 140 of the insulator ring 129 thereby preventing or minimizing lateral movement of these components within the main body 101 in either direction (see directional arrow 90 B in FIG. 19 ).
- the negative contact spring 132 is suitably biased against the negative terminal 128 and the PCB 120 in a manner effective to prevent or minimize linear and lateral movement of the negative contact spring 132 in either direction according to directional arrows 90 A and 90 B. Movement of assembled components housed within the main body 101 is limited to any rotational movement that may be realized by one or more of the negative terminal 128 and the insulator ring 129 against the negative contact spring 132 . As such, the device 100 of this embodiment is advantageous in that only the positive contact ring 126 is fixed to the inner surface 104 of the main body 101 providing for ease of assembly of the individual components of the device 100 .
- the positive contact ring 126 may be mechanically fixed to the second threaded inner surface 117 via sufficient torqueing of the positive contact ring 126 .
- one or more thread-locking fluids may be applied to the threaded outer surface 147 and/or the second threaded inner surface 117 to adhere the positive contact ring 126 to the inner surface 104 of the main body 101 .
- one or more components housed within the main body 101 may be fastened to the inner surface 104 and/or adhered to the inner surface 104 and/or threadedly communicated with the inner surface 104 of the main body 101 .
- one or more components may be fastened to the inner surface 104 of the main body 101 via a keyway coupling or the like.
- the PCB 120 may be electrically communicated with a coin cell battery 35 in the battery compartment 110 via the negative battery contact 125 and the positive contact ring 126 .
- the negative battery contact 125 may be disposed on the second side 148 of the PCB 120 in a manner effective for contacting an anode case 40 of a coin cell battery 35 that is housed in the battery compartment 110 .
- the positive contact ring 126 which encircles a coin cell battery 35 located in the battery compartment 110 , has an inner diameter effective for at least part of an outer perimeter of a cathode case 45 of a coin cell battery 35 to contact the positive contact ring 126 when the coin cell battery 35 is positioned off-center within the positive contact ring 126 , i.e., in a scenario where a coin cell battery 35 housed in a battery compartment 110 is not axially aligned with the main body 101 .
- a battery cover 105 of the device 100 may comprise one or more second positive contacts 160 (or “secondary positive contacts 160 ”) suitably attached to an inner surface 161 of the battery cover 105 .
- a second positive contact 160 may include at least two sets of contacts, namely, (1) inner contacts (“inner fingers 164 ”) and (2) outer contacts (“outer fingers 165 ”).
- a second positive contact 160 may be attached to a battery cover 105 via a retaining clip, a threaded fastener, one or more adhesives, and combinations thereof.
- the positive contact ring 126 is electrically communicated with the PCB 120 via an exposed contact 167 on the second side 148 of the PCB 120 , the exposed contact 167 having a diameter the same or substantially similar as the diameter of the positive contact ring 126 to provide an electrical connection between the exposed contact 167 and the positive contact ring 126 for powering the PCB 120 .
- the negative contact spring 132 is operationally configured to conduct a current between the PCB 120 and the negative terminal 128 .
- the first side 121 of the PCB 120 comprises an inner circular exposed contact 170 operationally configured to electrically communicate with the negative contact spring 132 when the device 100 is assembled as shown in FIGS. 16 and 19 .
- the negative contact spring 132 when assembled the negative contact spring 132 is in electrical communication with the negative terminal 128 , which is operationally configured to electrically communicate with a negative contact 25 in a battery compartment 10 of an optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- the negative contact spring 132 may be operationally configured to bias the negative terminal 128 toward a negative contact 25 of an optical sight 5 , 6 , 7 to insure a proper electrical connection between negative terminal 128 and the negative contact 25 of an optical sight 5 , 6 , 7 .
- the first side 121 of the PCB 120 further comprises an outer circular exposed contact 172 operationally configured to electrically communicate with the positive terminal 127 , which is operationally configured to electrically communicate with a positive contact 30 in the battery compartment 10 as shown in FIG. 19 .
- FIG. 22 depicts electrical pathways for the device 100 when the device 100 is in electrical communication with a battery compartment 10 of an optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 (see current directional arrows 99 A and 99 B in FIG. 22 ).
- a main body 101 may comprise one or more electrically conductive metals providing one or more electrical pathways for operation of the device 100 .
- a positive contact spring may be disposed between the positive contact ring 126 and the exposed contact 167 of the PCB 120 and the sidewall 136 of the negative terminal 128 may extend out a distance effective for operable contact between the annular flange 137 of the negative terminal 128 and the inner circular exposed contact 170 of the PCB 120 .
- the device 100 may also include a threaded locking ring 175 operationally configured to threadedly communicate with the second threaded outer surface 113 on the outer surface 102 of the main body 101 in a manner effective to maintain a proper connection between the device 100 and a battery compartment 10 of an optical sight 5 , 6 , 7 during operation—see the illustration of the device 100 installed on the optical sight 6 in FIG. 23 .
- the device 100 may also include a first seal 177 operationally configured to form a seal between the locking ring 175 , the outer surface 102 and the outer rim 23 of the battery compartment 10 of an optical sight 5 , 6 , 7 (see FIG. 19 ).
- the device 100 may also include a second seal 179 disposed between the battery cover 105 and the inner surface 104 of the main body 101 .
- the neck 122 of the battery cover 105 and/or the inner surface 104 of the main body 101 may comprise an angled or groove type surface operationally configured to receive part of the second seal 179 as shown in FIG. 19 .
- Suitable seals 177 and 179 may include, but are not limited to rubber O-rings, rubber annular gaskets, and combinations thereof.
- one suitable PCB 120 may include voltage-measurement functionality corresponding to battery voltage and one or more other PCB components 154 as described above for desired performance of the control circuitry 109 .
- a MCU 150 may be programmed to periodically, e.g., for a desired time interval, alternate a ON/OFF condition of the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts, e.g., the positive terminal 127 and negative terminal 128 , a number of times automatically in instances when measured voltage drops below a set value corresponding to a low battery voltage, for example 2.2 volts, indicating to the user the battery is nearly depleted.
- a user will see flashing reticle illumination to indicate to the user that the battery housed within the device 100 is nearly depleted and requires replacement.
- one suitable PCB 120 may include a MCU 150 , an input device such as a wake-up system including an accelerometer or motion sensor (“motion sensor 152 ”) mounted to the PCB 120 and one or more other PCB components 154 as described above for desired performance of the control circuitry 109 .
- One suitable motion sensor 152 may comprise a mechanical motion sensor.
- a MCU 150 may be programmed to (1) shut to OFF automatically in instances when no motion of the device 100 is detected for a programmed or set period of time, e.g., from or about 10.0 seconds up to or about 60.0 minutes or more via a time delay relay circuit, and (2) turn to ON automatically when the accelerometer or motion sensor 152 detects motion of the device 100 and thus, motion of a corresponding optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- one suitable motion sensor 152 may include a motion signal output in electrical communication with a MCU 150 comprising a detection circuit and a wake-up signal output.
- a device 100 as shown in FIG. 16 comprising a motion sensor 152 may be installed onto an optical sight 6 equipped with an illuminated reticle (see optical sight 6 in FIG. 2 ) for the purpose of adding a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF function to the optical sight 6 .
- a user may first remove the battery cover 15 from the battery compartment 10 and then remove a coin cell battery 35 out from the battery compartment 10 if present, exposing the inner surface of the battery compartment 10 as shown in FIG. 6 .
- a user may then install the device 100 onto the battery compartment 10 of the optical sight 6 by screwing the first threaded surface 103 of the device 100 onto the threaded surface 11 of the battery compartment 10 until the device 100 is turned to a desired tightened position on the battery compartment 10 .
- a coin cell battery 35 may be placed into the battery compartment 110 of the device 100 and the battery cover 105 may then be screwed onto the battery compartment 110 enclosing the coin cell battery 35 in the battery compartment 110 thereby installing the device 100 onto the optical sight 6 as shown in FIG. 23 .
- a coin cell battery 35 , battery cover 105 and main body 101 may be assembled prior to screwing the device 100 onto the battery compartment 10 of the optical sight 6 .
- a coin cell battery 35 may be held within the battery compartment 110 without including the battery cover 105 , e.g., via adhesive tape.
- a new or fully-charged coin cell battery 35 may be used as a power source for the device 100 and the optical sight 6 .
- the battery compartment 10 of the optical sight 6 houses a coin cell battery 35 with remaining charge, such pre-existing coin cell battery 35 may be used as the power source for the device 100 and the optical sight 6 .
- the device 100 is programmed to automatically deactivate illumination of the optical sight 6 (referred to herein as an “OFF position” of an illuminated reticle of the optical sight 6 ) in instances when the firearm 500 , optical sight 6 and device 100 rest motionless for a programmed period of time, e.g., a period such as 10.0 seconds to 20.0 minutes, by switching the circuit of the control circuitry 109 to an open circuit, i.e., an OFF position, preventing the coin cell battery 35 from being needlessly drained of power, which otherwise may occur in instances where an optical sight 6 without the device 100 maintains an illuminated reticle (referred to herein as an “ON position” of an illuminated reticle of the optical sight 6 ) for long durations, e.g., several hours or more.
- a programmed period of time e.g., a period such as 10.0 seconds to 20.0 minutes
- FIG. 25 is a simplified electrical block diagram of an embodiment of control circuitry 109 of a device 100 as described in reference to FIG. 16 including a motion sensor 152 and a MCU 150 comprising a time delay relay circuit 155 in parallel with an existing illumination circuit 600 of a corresponding optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- FIG. 26 is a simplified electrical block diagram of an embodiment of control circuitry 109 of the device 100 as described in reference to FIG. 16 including a motion sensor 152 and a MCU 150 comprising a time delay relay circuit 155 in series with an existing lighting circuit 600 of a corresponding optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- a device 100 as described in reference to FIGS. 16 - 23 may be built to scale and designed as desired or as may otherwise be required for operation with one or more particular optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 .
- one exemplary device 100 suitable for use with one or more optical sights including one or more optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 described above may include a main body 101 and battery cover 105 with dimensions as listed in Table 3.
- a main body 101 of the device 100 includes the dimensions as listed in Table 4.
- a device 100 may be provided as an OE component of an optical sight including, but not limited to optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 described above.
- a device 100 may be provided as an aftermarket item operationally configured for use with one or more existing optical sights, including, but not limited to the optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 described above.
- a device 100 of this disclosure may include any number of ornamental outer surface features corresponding to one or more existing optical sights, including, but not limited to optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 .
- an OE battery cover 105 may be provided as part of the device 100 , the use of a battery cover 15 of a corresponding optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 may be desired in some embodiments for purposes of aesthetic uniformity of the optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- a device 100 of this disclosure may include a main body 101 and/or battery cover 105 having an exterior surface comprising any color, color combination or pattern including one or more of the above listed colors or a particular camouflage pattern for use with one or more particular color or camouflage patterned optical sights, including one or more particular optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 described above.
- optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 for projectile launching devices including the battery compartments 10 , rotary dials 20 and battery covers 15 of such, are typically constructed of one or more materials resistant to chipping, cracking, excessive bending and reshaping as a result of ozone, weathering, heat, moisture, other outside mechanical and chemical influences, as well as various impacts and other loads that may be placed on an optical sight 5 , 6 , 7 .
- Common materials of construction for one or more optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 include one or more metals, one or more plastics, one or more composite materials, and combinations thereof.
- Exemplary metals include machined metal or cast metal including aluminum, anodized aluminum, steel, various alloys, titanium, one or more electrically conductive metals, and combinations thereof.
- a battery compartment 10 constructed from one or more metals may include a chrome-plated surface finish as desired.
- Exemplary electrically conductive metals may include, but are not limited to silver, copper, gold, aluminum, zinc, nickel, chromium, and combinations thereof.
- Exemplary plastics used in optical sight construction include one or more injection molded polymers.
- Exemplary composite materials include, but are not limited to glass-filled polymer, e.g., glass-filled nylon.
- the main body 101 and/or battery cover 105 of a device 100 of this disclosure may be constructed from one or more of the above described materials including the same or similar material(s) as one or more particular optical sight battery compartments 10 .
- the main body 101 may be constructed of aluminum
- the battery cover 105 may be constructed of aluminum
- the negative terminal 128 may be constructed of plated steel
- the insulator ring 129 may be constructed of nylon plastic
- the positive terminal 127 may be constructed of plated aluminum
- the negative contact spring 132 may be constructed of plated stainless steel
- the negative battery contact 125 may be constructed of plated stainless steel
- the positive contact ring 126 may be constructed of plated aluminum
- the second positive contact 160 may be constructed of plated stainless steel
- the exposed contacts 167 , 170 , and 172 of the PCB 120 may comprise gold-plated copper trace.
- the conductor parts of the device 100 may be plated with electroless nickel.
- FIGS. 27 - 29 provide non-limiting examples of a device 100 of this disclosure operationally configured for use with a coin cell battery compartment 10 of one or more optical sights including one or more optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 described above, the device 100 comprising one or more user input components.
- FIG. 27 illustrates an embodiment of a device 100 comprising at least one user input component comprising a push button 280 .
- FIG. 28 illustrates an embodiment of a device 100 comprising at least one user input component comprising a switch 282 in the form of a rotary dial switch.
- FIG. 29 illustrates an embodiment of a device 100 comprising at least one user input component comprising a biometric security scanner 284 .
- FIGS. 27 - 29 provide non-limiting examples of a device 100 of this disclosure operationally configured for use with a coin cell battery compartment 10 of one or more optical sights including one or more optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 described above, the device 100 comprising one or more user input components.
- FIG. 27 illustrates an embodiment of a
- control circuitry 109 each comprise control circuitry 109 with design specifications effective for performance of particular add-on operating functions according to the one or more user input components.
- control circuitry 109 design specifications may vary based on the one or more user input components included and one or more add-on operating functions for a particular device 100 .
- a device 100 of this disclosure may be operationally configured for use with one or more other devices comprising removable batteries or other removable power sources including, but not limited to one or more radios, one or more hand held communication devices, one or more cameras, one or more rangefinders, one or more night vision weapon sights, one or more flashlights, one or more laser pointers, one or more headphones, one or more medical devices, one or more toys, one or more remote controls, one or more key fobs, one or more holiday ornaments, and one or more flameless candles.
- removable batteries or other removable power sources including, but not limited to one or more radios, one or more hand held communication devices, one or more cameras, one or more rangefinders, one or more night vision weapon sights, one or more flashlights, one or more laser pointers, one or more headphones, one or more medical devices, one or more toys, one or more remote controls, one or more key fobs, one or more holiday ornaments, and one or more flameless candles.
- a device 100 of this disclosure may be operationally configured for use with an optical sight 8 similar as optical sights 5 , 6 , 7 but having a battery compartment 10 with an outer threaded surface 22 for receiving an inner threaded surface of a corresponding battery cover 15 .
- the main body 101 of the device 100 suitably comprises an inner threaded surface operationally configured to threadedly communicate with the outer threaded surface 22 of battery compartment 10 .
- a device of this disclosure may also be operationally configured for use with one or more optical sights comprising an elongated cylindrical type battery compartment.
- an optical sight comprising a cylindrical type battery compartment includes the Aimpoint® 9000SC-NVTM 2 MOA—Red Dot Reflex Sight commercially available from Aimpoint AB, located in Malmo, Sweden.
- Another non-limiting example of an optical sight 205 comprising an elongated cylindrical type battery compartment for housing a cylindrical battery is described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,939,229 B2, titled “Gun Scope with Battery Compartment,” published on Apr. 10, 2018, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- optical sight 205 Another non-limiting example of an optical sight comprising a cylindrical type battery compartment is shown in FIG. 31 , hereafter referred to generally as “optical sight 205 .”
- a device 200 of this embodiment is operationally configured to electrically communicate with a cylindrical battery 295 housed in a cylindrical type battery compartment 210 of an optical sight 205 in a manner effective to add one or more operating functions to the optical sight 205 .
- a common cylindrical type battery compartment 210 includes (1) an open end with a threaded inner surface 212 for threaded communication with a threaded surface 216 of a battery cover 215 , (2) a closed end comprising a positive contact 214 for making an electrical connection with a raised positive terminal 296 of a cylindrical battery 295 as shown, and (3) a cylindrical sidewall inner surface 218 disposed there between.
- the battery cover 215 includes a negative contact 220 operationally configured to make an electrical connection with a negative terminal 297 of the cylindrical battery 295 when the battery cover 215 is threaded onto the battery compartment 210 as shown.
- the device 200 may be operationally configured as a substitute battery cover for a battery compartment 210 of an optical sight 205 and operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the optical sight 205 .
- the device 200 may be provided as an OE battery cover of a battery compartment 210 for an optical sight 205 .
- the device 200 may be provided as an assembly comprising (1) a negative contact 228 , (2) a negative contact spring 232 , (3) an insulator ring 229 , (4) an annular negative terminal 233 , (4) control circuitry including at least one PCB 248 , and (5) an outer cover 241 .
- the negative contact 228 is provided as a cap type member comprising a sidewall 236 of a first outer diameter, a closed end 235 and an outward annular flange 237 of a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter.
- the negative contact 228 is disposed within an annular insulator ring 229 comprising an inward annular flange 240 operationally configured to overlap the outward annular flange 237 in a manner effective to maintain the negative contact 228 disposed within the insulator ring 229 .
- the insulator ring 229 further comprises an outer threaded surface 238 operationally configured for threaded communication with a first inner threaded surface 242 of the negative terminal 233 .
- the negative terminal 233 includes an outer threaded surface 243 operationally configured for threaded communication with threaded inner surface 212 of the battery compartment 210 .
- the negative terminal 233 also comprises a second inner threaded surface 245 operationally configured for threaded communication with an outer threaded surface 247 of a cylindrical neck 246 of the outer cover 241 .
- the inner surface of the negative terminal 233 further includes a non-threaded surface 244 disposed between the first inner threaded surface 242 and the second inner threaded surface 245 operationally configured as an abutment surface or seat for an outer perimeter surface 249 of the PCB 248 .
- the non-threaded surface 245 is not limited to a particular configuration, as shown in FIG. 33 the non-threaded surface 245 may be provided as a right angle surface effective as an abutment surface for the outer perimeter surface 249 and a second side of the PCB 248 .
- an assembled device 200 may include a space between the inner surface 250 of the outer cover 241 and the second side 256 of the PCB 248 .
- the outer cover 241 includes a flange 251 with a first side 263 operationally configured to abut an outer perimeter surface 217 at the open end of the battery compartment 210 .
- the device 200 may also include a seal 255 disposed between the flange 251 of the outer cover 241 , the inner surface 218 of battery compartment 210 , and an outer surface 257 of the negative terminal 233 as shown in FIG. 33 .
- the outer surface 257 of the negative terminal 233 comprises an angled surface operationally configured to receive part of the seal 255 as shown.
- an outer surface 257 may include a groove or slot type surface.
- a suitable seal 255 includes, but is not limited to a rubber O-ring, a rubber annular gasket, and combinations thereof.
- the outer cover 241 may be provided as a raised flangeless cylindrical member or as a flangeless cylindrical member that lies flush or substantially flush with the outer perimeter surface 217 of the battery compartment 210 .
- an outer surface 252 of the outer cover 241 may include one or more slotted surfaces similar as the one or more slotted surfaces 119 as shown in FIG. 10 and/or tooling cavities similar as the tooling cavities 112 shown in FIG. 13 to assist in turning the device 200 both clockwise and counter-clockwise when screwing the device 200 on and off of a corresponding battery compartment 210 .
- a device 200 of this embodiment is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to an optical sight 205 when the device 200 is in electrical communication with a cylindrical battery 295 housed in a battery compartment 210 of an optical sight 205 for powering the PCB 248 .
- the one or more operating functions to be added to an optical sight 205 may comprise one or more operating functions as described above in discussion of device 100 .
- a device 200 may be operationally configured to add a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF function to an optical sight 205 for operation as described above when the device 200 is electrically communicated with a battery compartment 210 as shown in FIG. 33 .
- a PCB 248 may comprise a MCU as described above, a motion sensor 260 and one or more other PCB components 154 as described above for desired performance of the control circuitry of the device 200 .
- the PCB 248 may include a circular exposed contact similar as the inner circular exposed contact 170 described above that is operationally configured to electrically communicate with the negative contact spring 232 biased against both the negative contact 228 and the exposed contact on the PCB 248 when the device 200 is assembled as shown.
- the other part of a circuit of the device 200 is achieved through the battery compartment 210 , e.g., the threaded inner surface 212 or other contact surface of the negative terminal 233 .
- a device 200 of this embodiment may be constructed of one or more materials as described above and include one or more colors, color combinations, patterns and/or surface finishes as described above in relation to device 100 .
- a negative contact 228 may be constructed of plated aluminum
- a negative contact spring 232 may be constructed of plated stainless steel
- an insulator ring 229 may be constructed of nylon plastic
- a negative terminal 233 may be constructed of gold plated copper
- an outer cover 241 may be constructed of anodized aluminum.
- the device 200 may be provided as a snap-on type cover configuration or a quarter-turn type locking cover configuration.
- a device 200 may be provided comprising a configuration the same or similar as a battery cover 215 as shown in FIG. 32 wherein a negative contact and control circuitry, e.g., at least one PCB 248 , are secured to an inner surface of the device 200 (similar as the location of the negative contact 220 in FIG. 32 ).
- a negative contact and control circuitry e.g., at least one PCB 248
- a device 100 of this disclosure as discussed in reference to FIGS. 10 - 29 may be operationally configured for use with one or more optical sights as described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,488,156 B2, titled “Optical System Accessory with Cant Indication,” published on Nov. 26, 2019, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety; U.S. Pat. No. 9,982,965 B2, titled “Inner Red-Dot Gun Sighting Device Powered by Solar Cell and Provided with Micro-Current LED Light Source,” published May 29, 2018, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety; U.S. Pat. No. 9,316,460 B2, titled “One Hand Operational Combo Sight Device,” published on Apr.
- FIG. 34 depicting an embodiment of control circuitry 109 of a device 100 as described in reference to FIG. 16 including a motion sensor 152 and a MCU 150 comprising a time delay relay circuit 155 and a battery voltage measurement circuit 157 in parallel with an existing illumination circuit 600 of a corresponding optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- FIG. 35 depicting an embodiment of control circuitry 109 of the device 100 as described in reference to FIG. 16 including a motion sensor 152 and a MCU 150 comprising a time delay relay circuit 155 and a battery voltage measurement circuit 157 in series with an existing lighting circuit 600 of a corresponding optical sight 5 , 6 , or 7 .
- An accessory for use with a battery powered device comprising:
- control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the battery powered device.
- the accessory of Embodiment 2 wherein the accessory comprises a main body removably attachable to the battery powered device battery compartment, wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with the battery powered device battery compartment, then the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts are in electrical contact with battery powered device battery compartment electrical input contacts.
- Embodiment 1 wherein when one or more removable batteries are located within the battery compartment, wherein when the electrical input contacts are in electrical communication with the one or more removable batteries, and wherein when the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts are in electrical contact with battery powered device battery compartment electrical input contacts, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the battery powered device.
- control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the battery powered device.
- control circuitry includes one or more motion sensors, one or more timers, one or more time delay relay circuits, one or more power regulation circuits, and combinations thereof.
- Embodiment 7 wherein the one or more operating functions comprise a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF power function.
- control circuitry is operationally configured to deactivate the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts after a set period of accessory non-motion is realized setting the accessory to an OFF position and wherein the control circuitry is operationally configured to activate the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts when the control circuitry detects accessory motion.
- control circuitry is operationally configured to indicate low battery voltage by periodically alternating a ON/OFF condition of the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts when the one or more voltage measurement circuits determine battery voltage is less than a set value for the battery voltage.
- control circuitry comprises one or more motion sensors, one or more tilt sensors, one or more light sensors, one or more thermal sensors, one or more image sensors, one or more capacitive touch sensors, one or more biometric sensors, one or more time delay relay circuits, one or more clock circuits, one or more counter circuits, one or more wireless control circuits, one or more analog-to-digital converters, one or more digital-to-analog converters, one or more power regulation circuits, one or more voltage sensors, circuits to perform logic functions, one or more electromagnetic sensors, one or more global positioning system antennas, and combinations thereof.
- the battery powered device includes a battery powered device battery compartment operationally configured to hold one or more removable batteries in electrical contact therewith and wherein the battery compartment of the accessory is operationally configured to hold the one or more removable batteries in electrical contact therewith for powering the accessory and the battery powered device when the accessory is in electrical communication with the battery powered device battery compartment.
- control circuitry comprises a printed circuit board including a microcontroller unit and a motion sensor in electrical communication with the microcontroller unit, wherein the motion sensor is operationally configured to detect motion of the accessory and wherein the microcontroller unit is programmed to turn the accessory OFF when no motion of the device is detected for a particular time period and programmed to turn the accessory ON when the motion sensor detects motion of the accessory.
- the accessory of Embodiment 1 further comprising a battery compartment cover removably attachable to the battery compartment.
- Embodiment 1 wherein the battery powered device is a firearm optical sight.
- An accessory for use with a device having a coin cell battery compartment comprising:
- a method of providing one or more operating functions to a battery powered device powered by one or more removable batteries comprising:
- a method of providing one or more operating functions to a battery powered firearm optical sight powered by one or more removable batteries comprising:
- the one or more operating functions comprise a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF function, a light sensing function, a thermal sensing function, a shock sensing function, one or more informational digital display functions, a video recording function, an audio recording function, a voice recognition function, a microphone function, an audible speaker function, one or more clock functions, one or more timer functions, one or more illumination functions, e.g., one or more indicator light functions, one or more flashlight functions, one or more wireless connectivity functions, i.e., wire-replacement communications technology, electrical communication port or interface functionality, and combinations thereof.
- the one or more operating functions comprise a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF function, a light sensing function, a thermal sensing function, a shock sensing function, one or more informational digital display functions, a video recording function, an audio recording function, a voice recognition function, a microphone function, an audible speaker function, one or more clock functions, one or more timer functions, one or more illumination functions, e.g., one or more
- An accessory for firearm optical sight use comprising:
- An accessory operable with a firearm optical sight battery compartment comprising:
- An accessory operable with a firearm optical sight battery compartment comprising:
- An accessory for use with a firearm optical sight comprising:
- a system comprising:
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Abstract
The disclosure is directed to an accessory for use with one or more battery powered devices including one or more firearm optical sights. The accessory is operationally configured to be removably attached to a battery compartment of a battery powdered device and add one or more operating functions to the battery powered device when the accessory is electrical communication with the battery powered device.
Description
- This application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date of the prior-filed U.S. provisional application No. 63/353,002, filed on Jun. 16, 2022.
- This disclosure relates generally in the field of optical sights for projectile launching devices including, but not limited to firearms.
- Conventional optical sights are designed to enhance an image for viewing and/or aiming purposes. Other optical sights are manufactured to provide one or more additional operating functions, for example, one or more motion sensors for automatic ON/OFF powering, tilt sensors, light sensors, thermal sensors, touch sensors, shock sensors, biometric security, cameras, clocks, timers, GPS positioning, digital displays, digital shot counters, illumination sources, manual controls, electrical communication ports or interfaces, microphones, audible speakers, electronic compasses, bubble levels, and wireless connectivity. Commercially available optical sights with these types of operating functions are typically more expensive than conventional optical sights and conventional optical sights are not configured to add these types of operating functions post production.
- Overcoming the above shortcomings is desired.
- The present disclosure provides an accessory for use with a battery powered device, comprising (a) a battery compartment, the battery compartment comprising electrical input contacts; (b) control circuitry in electrical communication with the electrical input contacts; and (c) circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts; (d) wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with a power source and when the accessory is in electrical communication with the battery powered device, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the battery powered device.
- The present disclosure also provides an accessory for use with a device having a coin cell battery compartment, comprising (a) a battery compartment, the battery compartment comprising electrical input contacts operable with a coin cell battery; (b) a battery compartment cover; (c) control circuitry in electrical communication with the electrical input contacts; and (d) circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts; (e) wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with the coin cell battery and when the accessory is in electrical contact with the coin cell battery compartment of the device, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the device.
- The present disclosure also provides a method of providing one or more operating functions to a battery powered device powered by one or more removable batteries, comprising (a) electrically communicating an accessory with a battery powered device battery compartment of the battery powered device, the accessory comprising (1) a main body removably attachable to the battery powered device battery compartment, the main body including (i) a battery compartment, the battery compartment comprising electrical input contacts; (ii) control circuitry in electrical communication with the electrical input contacts; and (iii) circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts; (iv) wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with a power source and when the accessory is in electrical communication with the battery powered device battery compartment, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add the one or more operating functions to the battery powered device.
-
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary coin cell battery powered optical sight commercially available at the time of this disclosure. -
FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of another exemplary coin cell battery powered optical sight commercially available at the time of this disclosure. -
FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of another exemplary coin cell battery powered optical sight commercially available at the time of this disclosure. -
FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a removable battery compartment cover of a coin cell battery powered optical sight as shown inFIGS. 1-3 . -
FIG. 5 is another top perspective view of the coin cell battery powered optical sight ofFIG. 2 with the battery compartment cover removed from the battery compartment of the optical sight. -
FIG. 6 is another top perspective view of the coin cell battery powered optical sight ofFIG. 2 with the battery compartment cover and the coin cell battery removed from the battery compartment of the optical sight. -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of part of a coin cell battery powered optical sight commercially available at the time of this disclosure with an empty battery compartment exposing an inner surface of the battery compartment. -
FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of an embodiment of a coin cell battery operable with an optical sight as shown inFIGS. 1-3 and 7 . -
FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of an exemplary battery compartment of a coin cell battery powered optical sight as shown inFIGS. 1-3 and 7 including a coin cell battery housed therein and a removable battery compartment cover attached thereto. -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a disassembled device of this disclosure. -
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an assembled device ofFIG. 10 . -
FIG. 12 is a sectional side view of the device ofFIGS. 10-11 . -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a removable battery compartment cover of a coin cell battery powered optical sight as shown inFIGS. 1-3 , -
FIG. 14 is a side view of an embodiment of a device of this disclosure. -
FIG. 15 is a side view of another embodiment of a device of this disclosure. -
FIG. 16 is a sectional side view of an embodiment of an assembled device of this disclosure depicting a detached battery cover. -
FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the device ofFIG. 16 . -
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a second positive contact of the battery cover ofFIG. 16 . -
FIG. 19 is a sectional side view of the device ofFIG. 16 depicting an attached battery cover. -
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a second side of the printed circuit board ofFIG. 16 . -
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a first side of the printed circuit board ofFIG. 20 . -
FIG. 22 is another sectional side view of the device ofFIG. 16 depicting an attached battery cover. -
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the device ofFIG. 16 installed on an optical sight. -
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the device and optical sight ofFIG. 23 with the optical sight mounted to a firearm. -
FIG. 25 is an electrical block diagram of control circuitry of a device of this disclosure. -
FIG. 26 is an electrical block diagram of control circuitry of a device of this disclosure. -
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a device of this disclosure comprising a user input component including a push button. -
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a device of this disclosure comprising a user input component including a switch in the form of a rotary dial switch. -
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a device of this disclosure comprising a user input component including a biometric security scanner. -
FIG. 30 is a perspective view of part of a coin cell battery powered optical sight commercially available at the time of this disclosure with an empty battery compartment exposing an inner surface of the battery compartment. -
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an optical sight comprising a cylindrical type battery compartment for housing a cylindrical battery. -
FIG. 32 is a sectional side view of a cylindrical type battery compartment of an optical sight. -
FIG. 33 is a sectional side view of the cylindrical type battery compartment ofFIG. 32 including an embodiment of a device of this disclosure attached thereto. -
FIG. 34 is an electrical block diagram of control circuitry of a device of this disclosure. -
FIG. 35 is an electrical block diagram of control circuitry of a device of this disclosure. - The term “at least one”, “one or more”, and “one or a plurality” mean one thing or more than one thing with no limit on the exact number; these three terms may be used interchangeably within this disclosure. For example, at least one device means one or more devices or one device and a plurality of devices.
- The term “about” means that a value of a given quantity is within ±20% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±15% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±10% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±7.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±2.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±1% of the stated value.
- The term “substantially” or “essentially” means that a value of a given quantity is within ±10% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±7.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±2.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±1% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±0.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±0.1% of the stated value.
- The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
- For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference is now made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and particular language will be used to describe the same. It is understood that no limitation of the scope of the claimed subject matter is intended by way of the disclosure.
- The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.
- As used herein, the terms “may” and “may be” indicate a possibility of an occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specified property, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb by expressing one or more of an ability, capability, or possibility associated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of “may” and “may be” indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable, or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while taking into account that in some circumstances, the modified term may sometimes not be appropriate, capable, or suitable. For example, in some circumstances, an event or capacity can be expected, while in other circumstances, the event or capacity cannot occur. This distinction is captured by the terms “may” and “may be.”
- Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like, the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more,” or the like. The use of the term “assembly” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of an assembly are all necessarily configured in a common package.
- In this disclosure, an “optical sight” is discussed in terms of use with one or more projectile launching devices. In addition, the terms “optical sighting system,” “scope,” and “optical platform” may be used interchangeably with “optical sight.” In this disclosure, reference to one or more “commercially available” optical sights includes optical sights commercially available as of the time of this disclosure and other optical sights made commercially available at a date later than this disclosure.
- Herein, a “projectile launching device” may include, but is not necessarily limited to a firearm and an archery bow. A firearm may include, but is not limited to a rifle, a shotgun, a pistol, a revolver, a shoulder fired bazooka, a shoulder fired rocket launcher, an air rifle, and a paintball gun. In addition, a firearm may include any type of action, for example, lever action, pump action, bolt action, break action. A firearm may be provided as a hand held firearm or a firearm mounted to a vehicle, watercraft or other mode of transportation. A firearm may be provided as a single shot, automatic or semiautomatic firearm. As understood by the skilled artisan, a particular firearm may be provided in different barrel lengths. An archery bow may include, but is not limited to a crossbow, a compound bow, a recurve bow or other device from which one or more arrows may be projected.
- Exemplary optical sights for use with one or more types of projectile launching devices may include, but are not limited to one or more telescopic riflescopes, one or more red dot sights, one or more prism sights, and one or more holographic sights as such terms are understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art firearm optics. Common telescopic riflescopes include fixed magnification scopes and variable magnification scopes. Herein, a “riflescope” refers to an optical sight used with a rifle and a “pistol scope” refers to an optical sight used with a pistol.
- The terms “optical sight reticle,” “reticle” and “reticule” in relation to projectile launching devices each refers to lines and/or other markings or indicia found on an eyepiece of an optical sight. For purposes of this disclosure, the terms “optical sight reticle,” “reticle” and “reticule” may be used interchangeably. Also, the term “ON/OFF feature” may be used interchangeably with the terms “ON/OFF switch” and “ON/OFF function.” In this disclosure, an “illuminated reticle” refers to a reticle of an optical sight that may be illuminated via electrical components including a power source and one or more electrically powered and electrically controlled light sources of the optical sight. Exemplary light sources may include, but are not limited to one or more incandescent bulbs, one or more fluorescent bulbs, one or more light emitting diodes (“LEDs”), one or more resonant cavity light-emitting diodes (“RCLEDs”), one or more diode lasers, one or more organic LEDs, one or more vertical cavity surface emitting laser diodes (“VCSELs”), and combinations thereof. In one non-limiting embodiment, a reticle may be illuminated via a light emitting diode (“LED”) or an LED array and/or (2) a resonant cavity light-emitting diode (“RCLED”) or an RCLED array. In another embodiment, a reticle may be illuminated via a diode laser, e.g., a reticle of a holographic optical sight. In another embodiment, a reticle may be illuminated via a liquid crystal display (“LCD”). In another embodiment, a reticle may be illuminated via an organic light-emitting diode (“OLED”) display. In another embodiment, a reticle may be illuminated via a vertical cavity surface emitting laser diode (“VCSEL”).
- Herein, “electrical power” is the product of current and voltage. A “power source” of a device of this disclosure may include one or more batteries, one or more capacitors, one or more wireless charging circuits, one or more power jacks providing electrical power from one or more external sources, one or more kinetic energy harvester devices, and combinations thereof. A battery as discussed herein may include one or more batteries having (1) one or more sizes and/or configurations including, but not limited to AA batteries, AAA batteries, AAAA batteries, C batteries, D batteries, 9V batteries, CR123A batteries, 23A batteries, and coin cell batteries, (2) one or more types including, but not limited to lithium batteries, alkaline batteries, carbon zinc batteries, silver oxide batteries, zinc air batteries, rechargeable batteries, e.g., lithium-ion batteries, nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, and combinations thereof. As understood by the skilled artisan, a coin cell battery is commonly used to power electronics devices including but not limited to wrist watches, pocket calculators, small LED powered flash lights, automobile keyless entry transmitters, pedometers, optical sights, and the like. In this disclosure, the terms “button cell battery,” “button cell,” “button style battery,” “coin cell battery,” “coin cell” and “coin style battery” may be used interchangeably. Herein, “OE” stands for original equipment and “OEM” stands for original equipment manufacturer.
- In an embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to an accessory that may be installed onto a device or “host device” that is powered by one or more removable batteries in a manner effective to add one or more operating functions (or “functions”) to the device.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a device that may be installed onto an optical sight in a manner effective to add one or more operating functions to the optical sight.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a multifunction add-on assembly for one or more optical sights.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a multifunction battery compartment for one or more optical sights.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a portable multifunction device for one or more optical sights.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a multifunction add-on power supply system for one or more optical sights.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a function adding device for installation onto at least one optical sight including, but not limited to at least one commercially available optical sight.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a system and method for adding one or more operating functions to one or more optical sights.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a method of adding one or more operating functions to one or more optical sights by installing onto one or more optical sights a device or assembly operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the one or more optical sights when the device or assembly is electrically communicated with a battery compartment of the one or more optical sights.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a battery adapter device for one or more optical sights. One suitable battery adapter device is operationally configured to change the type of battery used as the power source of an optical sight compared to the OE battery requirements for the optical sight. In one non-limiting example, an optical sight may be provided comprising an OE battery compartment operationally configured for a CR2032 coin cell lithium battery and a battery adapter device operationally configured to electrically communicate with the OE battery compartment may comprise a battery compartment operationally configured for a CR1632 coin cell lithium battery as a power source for the optical sight.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a motion sensing battery compartment removably attachable to a battery compartment of one or more optical sights in a manner effective to provide electrical power to the one or more optical sights according to programmed operation of a motion sensor of the motion sensing battery compartment.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a device that may be installed onto an empty, i.e., a battery free, battery compartment of an optical sight in a manner effective to add one or more operating functions to the optical sight. In an embodiment, the device may include a battery compartment operationally configured to receive the same or like removable battery cover in threaded communication as the optical sight for housing the same or like battery as the optical sight therein.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a method for adding motion sensing to an optical sight by installing onto a battery compartment of the optical sight a device operationally configured to provide a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF power function to the optical sight.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a method for adding low battery sensing and low battery indication to an optical sight by installing onto a battery compartment of the optical sight a device operationally configured to provide a low battery sensing and low battery indication function to the optical sight.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a method for retrofitting an optical sight to include one or more operating functions not provided as part of the manufactured design of the optical sight.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a method of changing one or more add-on operating functions for an optical sight by using two or more multifunction add-on devices that may be interchangeably installed onto an optical sight as desired to make use of one or more operating functions provided by a particular multifunction add-on device.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a system for providing add-on operation function interchangeability for one or more optical sights. In an embodiment, the system includes one or more optical sights and one or more devices operationally configured to provide one or more add-on operating functions to the one or more optical sights. In an embodiment, the system includes one or more optical sights and one or more multifunction add-on devices for one or more optical sights.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to an assembly for adding one or more operating functions to one or more optical sights. In an embodiment, the assembly comprises at least a housing including a battery compartment, control circuitry, and positive and negative power output electrical contacts.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a motion sensing coin cell battery compartment device, assembly, system and method for one or more optical sights. In an embodiment, the motion sensing battery compartment device may be operationally configured as an OE battery compartment for one or more optical sights. In another embodiment, the motion sensing battery compartment may be operationally configured as a substitute battery compartment for one or more optical sights.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a low battery sensing coin cell battery compartment device, assembly, system and method for one or more optical sights.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a motion sensing battery compartment for installation onto a battery compartment of one or more firearm optical sights. Once installed onto a firearm optical sight, the motion sensing battery compartment is operationally configured to detect motion of the optical sight and control powering of the optical sight according to movement of the optical sight.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a motion sensing battery compartment operationally configured to electrically communicate with battery compartments of one or more optical sights in a manner effective to control powering of the one or more optical sights according to detected motion of the one or more optical sights.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a substitute battery compartment for one or more optical sights that is operationally configured to provide at least motion sensing automatic ON/OFF power functionality to the one or more optical sights when electrically communicated with a battery compartment of the one or more optical sights.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a portable battery compartment for one or more optical sights. In an embodiment, the portable battery compartment comprises an automatic ON/OFF power function operationally configured for use with one or more optical sights.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a system comprising (1) a removable motion sensing battery compartment device for one or more optical sights, the motion sensing battery compartment device being operable with a battery compartment of one or more commercially available optical sights, and (2) a removable coin cell battery, wherein the removable motion sensing battery compartment device comprises control circuitry operationally configured to provide automatic ON/OFF powering of one or more optical sights including, but not necessarily limited to one or more third party firearm optical sights known at the time of this disclosure.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a motion sensing device for one or more optical sights, the motion sensing device having control circuitry and a threaded surface operationally configured for use with battery compartments of the one or more optical sights. The motion sensing device is operationally configured to (1) electrically communicate with the electrical contacts within a battery compartment of a particular optical sight and (2) electrically communicate with a coin cell battery including, but not limited to a coin cell battery common to the optical sight, i.e., the same or like coin cell battery powering the optical sight.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a motion sensing assembly for use with an optical sight of a projectile launching device, the optical sight having a battery compartment and a corresponding removable battery cover, wherein the motion sensing assembly is operationally configured to electrically communicate with the battery compartment of the optical sight in a manner effective to power the optical sight. Suitably, the motion sensing assembly comprises a main body operationally configured to house a coin cell battery and an attachment surface for the removable battery cover or a like removable battery cover that is operationally configured to enclose the coin cell battery in the battery compartment of the main body. When a coin cell battery is enclosed in the main body, the motion sensing battery compartment is operationally configured to power the optical sight according to detected motion of the optical sight.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a motion sensing battery compartment for use with one or more optical sights of one or more projectile launching devices, wherein each of the one or more optical sights includes an OE battery compartment and a corresponding removable battery cover as part of its original construction for housing a removable coin cell battery.
- In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a removable accessory operationally configured be removably attached to a battery compartment of a host device in a manner the same or similar that a host device battery cover is attached and removed on and off from the battery compartment of the host device. For example, in an embodiment of a host device battery compartment operationally configured to receive a battery cover in threaded communication, an accessory of this disclosure may be operationally configured to be threadedly communicated to the battery compartment of the host device. In an embodiment of a host device battery compartment operationally configured to receive a battery cover in a snap-on communication, an accessory of this disclosure may be operationally configured to include a snap-on configuration for communicating with the battery compartment of the host device. In an embodiment of a host device battery compartment operationally configured to receive a battery cover in a quarter-turn type locking cover communication, an accessory of this disclosure may be operationally configured to include a quarter-turn locking type configuration for communicating with the battery compartment of the host device. In an embodiment of a host device battery compartment operationally configured to receive a battery cover that is removably hingedly attached to the host device, an accessory of this disclosure may be hingedly attached to the host device in a manner effective for the accessory to communicate with the battery compartment of the host device.
- Suitably, a device as described herein is operationally configured for use with one or more devices powdered by one or more removable batteries including, but not limited to one or more optical sights comprising a battery compartment. Referring to
FIGS. 1-9 , in at least one embodiment a device of this disclosure is operationally configured for use with coin cell battery compartments of one or more battery powered host devices such as one or more optical sights, including, but not limited to (1) one ormore riflescopes 5, (2) one or more reflex tube sights 6 (hereafter referred to as “red dot sights 6”), and (3) one ormore prism sights 7—which may be collectively referred to herein as “optical sights riflescopes 5 are described herein in reference toFIGS. 1 and 7 . Non-limiting examples of coin cell battery poweredred dot sights 6 are described herein in reference toFIGS. 2, 5 and 6 , and a non-limiting example of a coin cell battery poweredprism sight 7 is described herein in reference toFIG. 3 . In an embodiment, a device of this disclosure may be operationally configured to electrically communicate with an empty coin cell battery compartment of anoptical sight optical sight optical sight optical sight - With particular reference to
FIGS. 1-5 , commercially availableoptical sights battery compartment 10”) and (2) a removable battery compartment cover 15 (“battery cover 15”) operationally configured to secure a power source such as a removablecoin cell battery 35 within thebattery compartment 10 in a manner effective for thecoin cell battery 35 to supply electrical power to the optical sight. As shown,typical battery compartments 10 are provided as knob or turret type structures or bodies with a cylindrical inner surface of a size suitable for housing a circularcoin cell battery 35 therein (seeFIG. 5 ) and having aremovable battery cover 15 effective to enclose thecoin cell battery 35 within thebattery compartment 10 as shown inFIGS. 1-3 . As shown inFIG. 4 , abattery cover 15 typically has a cylindrical outer threadedsurface 16 for threaded communication with an inner threaded surface 11 (seeFIG. 5 ) of abattery compartment 10 allowing thebattery cover 15 to be screwed on and off of thebattery compartment 10 as desired. In terms of commercially availableoptical sights surface 11 of abattery compartment 10 commonly has an inner thread diameter of or about 22.0 mm (0.87 inches) to or about 26.0 mm (1.02 inches) although other inner thread diameters are herein contemplated as anoptical sight - Depending on the make and/or model of a particular
optical sight battery compartment 10 may also comprise one or more rotary dials 20 (seeFIG. 2 ) operationally configured to control one or more operating functions of an optical sight, for example, (1) to adjust LED brightness for illuminating a corresponding reticle of the optical sight; and/or (2) to turn the optical sight ON/OFF. In such an embodiment, thebattery cover 15 may have anouter perimeter surface 17 the same or substantially similar in appearance and/or outer diameter as theouter surface 13 of all or a portion of thebattery compartment 10 and/or therotary dial 20 thereby providing an aesthetically consistent exterior appearance and bettering manual operation of therotary dial 20 andbattery cover 15. For example, in an embodiment anouter surface 13 of abattery compartment 10,battery cover 15 androtary dial 20 may include a textured outer surface including one or more raisedsurfaces 12 for ease of finger manipulation (seeFIG. 2 ). Non-limiting examples of raisedsurfaces 12 include, but are not limited to raised bumps, dimples, grooves, knurling, and combinations thereof. - Referring to
FIGS. 3 and 4 , theoutermost surface 18 of abattery cover 15 may include one or more surface configurations including an ornamental appearance as desired, for example, a slightly curved surface or a planar or partially planar surface or other ornamental appearance. In addition, anoutermost surface 18 may also include at least one slottedsurface 19 for receiving a tool therein to assist in turning thebattery cover 15 both clockwise and counter-clockwise when screwing thebattery cover 15 on and off of acorresponding battery compartment 10. Common tools for use with a slottedsurface 19 may include, but are not limited to a manufacturer provided tool, a screwdriver or other hand held tool. As understood by the skilled artisan, acommon battery cover 15 may also include a slottedsurface 19 with a size effective to receive part of a monetary coin therein, e.g., a United States penny, quarter, nickel, dime, and/or the equivalent to assist in turning thebattery cover 15. As such, a slottedsurface 19 of abattery cover 15 is commonly referred to in the art as a “coin-slot.” -
Coin cell batteries 35 operable for poweringoptical sights FIG. 8 , including ananode case 40, ananode 41, acathode case 45, acathode 46 and aseparator 50 disposed between theanode 41 andcathode 46. In the embodiment ofFIG. 8 , theanode case 40 forms the negative terminal and thecathode case 45 forms the positive terminal of thecoin cell battery 35. The orientation of acoin cell battery 35 within abattery compartment 10 is suitably determined according to the orientation of the electrical input contacts within thebattery compartment 10, for example, seeFIG. 5 , which depicts acoin cell battery 35 located within abattery compartment 10 with thepositive cathode case 45 side of thecoin cell battery 35 facing outward. - Conventional
coin cell batteries 35 foroptical sights optical sight coin cell battery 35 for use withoptical sights coin cell battery 35 for use withoptical sights coin cell battery 35 that may be used with anoptical sight -
TABLE 1 Specifications: CR2032 coin cell lithium battery Capacity 225.0 mAh Chemical System Lithium Manganese Dioxide Dimensions 20.0 mm × 3.2 mm Operating Temperature −30.0 to 60.0° C. Weight 2.9 g Voltage Rating 3.0 V -
TABLE 2 Specifications: CR1632 coin cell lithium battery Capacity 140.0 mAh Chemical System Lithium Manganese Dioxide Dimensions 16.0 mm × 2.0 mm Operating Temperature −30.0 to 60.0° C. Weight 1.8 g Voltage Rating 3.0 V - With reference to
FIG. 5 , abattery compartment 10 of anoptical sight coin cell battery 35 within thebattery compartment 10 without hindering abattery cover 15 from being properly secured to thebattery compartment 10 as depicted inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3 . - As shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7 , abattery compartment 10 of anoptical sight floor 21 for receiving acoin cell battery 35 wherein thefloor 21 comprises anegative contact 25, e.g., a negative contact plate or the like, operationally configured to contact ananode case 40 of acoin cell battery 35 when thecoin cell battery 35 is housed within thebattery compartment 10. As also shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 , an operablenegative contact 25 is not limited to a particular shape or form. Herein,negative contact 25 may also be referred to as “negative battery contact 25.” - Still referring to
FIGS. 6 and 7 , abattery compartment 10 also includes apositive contact 30 such as a positive contact ring, along the inner perimeter of thebattery compartment 10 operationally configured to contact acathode case 45 of acoin cell battery 35 along the outer perimeter of acoin cell battery 35 to complete an electric circuit, thereby providing power to control circuitry of anoptical sights optical sights positive contact 30 may also be referred to as “positive battery contact 30.” - Referring to
FIG. 9 , in operation when abattery cover 15 is turned closed to a desired tightened position with abattery compartment 10, theinner surface 26 of thebattery cover 15 suitably applies a force to thecoin cell battery 35 therein maintaining proper contact of thecoin cell battery 35 with thenegative contact 25 and thepositive contact 30. In an embodiment including a seal member or seal such as an O-ring 14 to prevent moisture and/or dirt from entering thebattery compartment 10 during use, part of thebattery cover 15 also suitably applies a force to thebattery compartment 10 to form a seal with the O-ring 14. - At the time of this disclosure, non-limiting examples of commercially
available riflescopes 5 using acoin cell battery 35 include the Primary Arms® SLx 1-6×24 mm SFP Rifle Scope Gen III and the Primary Arms® SLx 3-18×50 mm FFP Rifle Scope available from Primary Arms, L.L.C., Houston, Tex., U.S.A. Non-limiting examples of commercially availablered dot sights 6 using acoin cell battery 35 at the time of this disclosure include the Primary Arms® SLx Advanced Rotary Knob Microdot Red Dot Sight and the Primary Arms® SLx MD-25Rotary Knob 25 mm Microdot available from Primary Arms, L.L.C., Houston, Tex., U.S.A. Non-limiting examples of commerciallyavailable prism sights 7 using acoin cell battery 35 at the time of this disclosure include the PrimaryAims® SLx 5×36 mm Gen III Prism Scope, the Primary Arms® SLx 1× MicroPrism Prism Scope, and the Primary Arms® GLx 2× Prism Scope available from Primary Arms, L.L.C., Houston, Tex., U.S.A. While the above non-limiting examples of commercially availableoptical sights battery compartment 10 with arotary dial 20, one non-limiting example of a commercially available optical sight having a coincell battery compartment 10 without arotary dial 20 includes ared dot sight 6 such as the Primary Arms® SLx Advanced Push Button Micro Red Dot Sight—Gen II available from Primary Arms, L.L.C., Houston, Tex., U.S.A. -
FIGS. 10-12 illustrate an embodiment of an accessory 100 (hereafter “device 100”) of this disclosure operationally configured for use with one or more coin cell battery powered optical sights including, but not limited to one or more ofoptical sights device 100 is operationally configured as an electro-mechanical interface for supplying electrical power and adding one or more operating functions to a correspondingoptical sight device 100 comprises at least amain body 101housing control circuitry 109, and once thedevice 100 is electrically communicated with abattery compartment 10 of anoptical sight device 100 is operationally configured to supply electrical power and add one or more operating functions to theoptical sight - With particular reference to
FIGS. 10 and 12 , themain body 101 includes abattery compartment 110 comprising electrical input contacts including at least anegative battery contact 125 and apositive battery contact 126 in electrical communication withcontrol circuitry 109 of thedevice 100 wherein thenegative battery contact 125 andpositive battery contact 126 are operationally configured to make electrical contact with acoin cell battery 35 that is housed in thebattery compartment 110 for suppling electrical power to both thedevice 100 and to theoptical sight device 100 is installed. Themain body 101 also includes circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts housed in themain body 101 including a positive power output contact orpositive terminal 127 and a negative power output contact ornegative terminal 128 in electrical communication with thecontrol circuitry 109 and operationally configured to electrically communicate with anegative contact 25 and apositive contact 30 within abattery compartment 10 of a correspondingoptical sight device 100 may also include a poweroutput insulating ring 129 disposed between thepositive terminal 127 and thenegative terminal 128. - As shown, the
device 100 may comprise a battery compartment cover (hereafter “battery cover 105”) operationally configured to threadedly communicate with themain body 101. In another embodiment, thedevice 100 may be provided without abattery cover 105, and, although abattery cover 105 is not necessarily required for operation of thedevice 100, abattery cover 105 is operationally configured to promote reliable electrical contact between acoin cell battery 35 and thenegative battery contact 125 andpositive battery contact 126, prevent unwanted removal of thecoin cell battery 35 from thebattery compartment 110, and prevent moisture and/or dirt from entering thebattery compartment 110. As described below, abattery cover 105 may also comprise one or more secondary positive contacts attached thereto to promote reliable electrical contact of thedevice 100 with acoin cell battery 35 housed within thebattery compartment 110 when thebattery cover 105 is threadedly communicated with themain body 101. Referring toFIG. 10 , asuitable battery cover 105 of thedevice 100 comprises acylindrical neck 122 including a threadedouter surface 106 and aflange 123 as shown. Similar as the one or more raisedsurfaces 12 described above, abattery cover 105 may also include one or more raised surfaces for ease of finger manipulation when screwing thebattery cover 105 on and off of acorresponding battery compartment 110. - In an embodiment, the
main body 101 andcorresponding battery cover 105 may comprise one or more interrupted thread patterns. In another embodiment, abattery cover 105 may be provided as a flangeless cylindrical member. In another embodiment, themain body 101 of thedevice 100 may be operationally configured to receive abattery cover 105 in a flush position with respect to the opening of thebattery compartment 110. - In an embodiment, the
main body 101 andcorresponding battery cover 105 may be provided as a snap-on type cover configuration or a quarter-turn type locking cover configuration. In another embodiment, abattery cover 105 may be hingedly attached to themain body 101. In another embodiment, themain body 101 may include a drawer type battery compartment for housing acoin cell battery 35. - With further reference to the embodiment of
FIG. 10 , thebattery compartment 110 of themain body 101 comprises afloor 115 and a first threadedinner surface 116 operationally configured as an attachment surface to threadedly communicate with the threadedouter surface 106 of acorresponding battery cover 105. In another embodiment, abattery cover 15 of an optical sight such asoptical sight battery cover 105 for threadedly communicating with thebattery compartment 110 of thedevice 100. In such an embodiment, the first threadedinner surface 116 of thebattery compartment 110 suitably comprises a thread pattern and inner diameter like a threadedsurface 11 of abattery compartment 10 of anoptical sight battery cover 15 originates. - Similar as a
battery cover 15 as shown inFIGS. 1-4 , anouter surface 107 of thebattery cover 105 of thedevice 100 may include one or more surface configurations and at least one slottedsurface 119 as described above to assist in turning thebattery cover 105 both clockwise and counter-clockwise when screwing thebattery cover 105 on and off of acorresponding battery compartment 110. In another embodiment, abattery cover 105 of adevice 100 may include one or more tooling holes ortooling cavities 112 operationally configured to receive a tool therein to assist in turning thebattery cover 105 both clockwise and counter-clockwise on and off of a corresponding battery compartment 110 (seeFIG. 13 ). - In another embodiment of a device of this disclosure for use with a host device powered by one or more removable batteries, e.g., one or more
coin cell batteries 35, thebattery compartment 110 may comprise one or morenegative battery contacts 125 and one or morepositive battery contacts 126, and themain body 101 may comprise one or more circuitry-controlledpositive output contacts 127 and one or more circuitry-controllednegative output contacts 128 that correspond to electrical input contacts of a battery compartment of the host device. - Regarding a
device 100 for use with one or moreoptical sights control circuitry 109 may include one or more printed circuit boards (“PCB”) comprising one or more design specifications including a patterned arrangement of printed circuitry and solid state electronic components mounted to the surface of the PCB. When powered by one or more power sources, e.g., one or more batteries, a PCB of adevice 100 of this disclosure may be operationally configured to control or regulate the output power, the output voltage and the rate of electric current of thedevice 100. At a minimum, a PCB of adevice 100 of this disclosure may be operationally configured to feed electrical power at a controlled voltage and a controlled rate to anegative contact 25 and apositive contact ring 30 in abattery compartment 10 of anoptical sight optical sight - One suitable PCB of a
device 100 of this disclosure may include an integrated circuit such as a microcontroller unit (“MCU”), peripheral hardware including one or more input devices and one or more other PCB components for desired operation of adevice 100. A MCU of this disclosure may include, but is not limited to a central processing unit (“CPU”), random-access memory (“RAM”), flash memory, a serial bus interface, input/output ports (“I/O Ports”), a special function register (“SFR”) for controlling peripheral circuitry, read-only memory (“ROM”), one or more voltage regulator circuits, one or more voltage measurement circuits, and combinations thereof. One or more input devices to implement one or more peripheral functions may include, but are not limited to one or more motion sensors, one or more tilt sensors, one or more light sensors, one or more thermal sensors, one or more image sensors, one or more capacitive touch sensors, one or more biometric sensors, one or more time delay relay circuits, one or more clock circuits, one or more counter circuits, one or more wireless control circuits, one or more analog-to-digital converters, one or more digital-to-analog converters, one or more power regulation circuits, one or more voltage sensors, circuits to perform logic functions, one or more electromagnetic sensors, one or more global positioning system (“GPS”) antennas, and combinations thereof. One non-limiting example of an electromagnetic sensor includes a radio frequency sensor (“RF sensor”). Other PCB components may include, but are not limited to one or more resistors, one or more capacitors, one or more inductors, one or more diodes, one or more relays, one or more transistors, and other electrical components as may be required for a particular operation of thedevice 100 and/or correspondingoptical sight optical sight optical sight optical sight - One or more operating functions that may be added to one or more
optical sights device 100 comprisingcontrol circuitry 109 as described above may include, but are not limited to a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF function, a light sensing function, a thermal sensing function, a shock sensing function, one or more informational digital display functions, a video recording function, an audio recording function, a voice recognition function, a microphone function, an audible speaker function, one or more clock functions, one or more timer functions, one or more illumination functions, e.g., one or more indicator light functions, one or more flashlight functions, one or more wireless connectivity functions, i.e., wire-replacement communications technology, electrical communication port or interface functionality, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of sensor driven control functions that may be added to one or more optical sights 5, 6, 7 via a particular device 100 include (1) battery voltage dependent illumination via one or more battery voltage sensors, (2) inclination-dependent illumination (axial load and/or lateral load) via one or more tilt sensors or one or more accelerometers, (3) ambient light dependent illumination via one or more ambient light sensors and a pulse width modulation (“PWM”) brightness control circuit, (4) a shot counter or digital counter using a motion sensor, a shock sensor or an accelerometer, (5) a firearm shot timer using a clock, a shock sensor, a microphone or an accelerometer as a trigger, and an audible speaker, a digital display, one or more LEDs and/or LED arrays, or a wireless connectivity technology to report measured time to a firearm user or other(s), (6) GPS positioning for determining a position of a corresponding device 100 in real time and relay the determined position to one or more remote devices via a wireless connection or via manual download, (7) user authentication based on biometric data and/or password data enabling powering of an optical sight, e.g., illumination of an optical sight reticle once authenticated, (8) direction indication via an electronic compass based on one or more electromagnetic sensors, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of wireless connectivity technology that may be employed for aparticular device 100 may include, but are not limited to one or more of radio frequency (“RF”) signals, infrared (“IR”) radiation wireless technology, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth® technology, commercially available from Bluetooth SIG, Inc., Kirkland, Wash., U.S.A. - Depending on the one or more operating functions to be added to one or more particular
optical sights device 100, amain body 101 of adevice 100 of this disclosure may include one or more functional components including (1) one or more digital displays, e.g., a GPS positioning display, (2) one or more illumination sources, e.g., one or more LEDs and/or LED arrays, one or more incandescent bulbs, (3) one or more audible speakers, (4) one or more electronic compasses, (5) one or more bubble levels, (6) one or more angle sensors, (7) one or more analog dials, (8) one or more user input components, (9) one or more low battery indicators, e.g., an indicator light, and combinations thereof not otherwise provided on a correspondingoptical sight device 100 of this disclosure. As also understood by the skilled artisan, a PCB layout and/or ornamental design of aparticular device 100 may vary according to the one or more operating functions to be added to a particularoptical sight device 100. In addition, in an embodiment, thecontrol circuitry 109 logic of thedevice 100 may be comprised of analog logic elements, digital logic elements, and combinations thereof. - In particular regard to an
optical sight device 100 of this disclosure may be operationally configured to modify the illumination circuit performance characteristics of theoptical sight optical sight optical sight optical sight optical sight - With further reference to the embodiment of
FIGS. 10-12 , themain body 101 of this embodiment comprises anouter surface 102 including at least a first threadedsurface 103 operationally configured to threadedly communicate or otherwise removably attach with a threadedsurface 11 of abattery compartment 10. As such, the first threadedsurface 103 suitably comprises a thread pattern and outer diameter for operation withbattery compartments 10 of one or moreoptical sights surface 103 of this embodiment may be referred to as a “threaded mounting surface” of thedevice 100. - Once installed onto an
optical sight main body 101 may comprise an outer diameter the same or substantially similar as the outer diameter of acorresponding battery compartment 10 and/orrotary dial 20 as shown in the non-limiting examples ofFIGS. 14 and 15 . In another embodiment, themain body 101 may include an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of acorresponding battery compartment 10 and/orrotary dial 20. - As shown in
FIG. 14 , in an embodiment anouter surface 102 of thedevice 100 may include an aesthetically neutral type ornamental exterior appearance for use with a plurality of optical sight battery compartments 10 of varying ornamental exterior surfaces. One non-limiting neutral type surface may include a flat or smooth surface as depicted inFIG. 14 . As shown inFIG. 15 , in another embodiment amain housing 101 of thedevice 100 may include a texturedouter surface 102 including one or more raised outer surfaces similar as described above providing an ornamental exterior appearance for use with one or more particularoptical sights main housing 101 of thedevice 100 may include anouter surface 102 in any number of configurations corresponding to one or more particular battery compartments 10 of one or moreoptical sights outer surface 102 may assist a user in manually turning themain housing 101 both clockwise and counter-clockwise when screwing themain housing 101 on and off of acorresponding battery compartment 10. - Because a
device 100 of this disclosure may be operationally configured for use with one or more commercially availableoptical sights battery compartment 110 may be operationally configured to receive the samecoin cell battery 35 as used by anoptical sight device 100 and/or a likecoin cell battery 35 and/or any other type of coin cell battery that is operable with thebattery compartment 110. In an embodiment, abattery compartment 110 may comprise anegative battery contact 125 andpositive battery contact 126 configuration the same or similar as abattery compartment 10 as depicted inFIGS. 6 and 7 . As shown inFIG. 10 , thefloor 115 of thebattery compartment 110 may comprise (1) anegative battery contact 125, e.g., anegative contact plate 125, operationally configured to contact ananode case 40 of acoin cell battery 35 and (2) apositive battery contact 126 along the inner perimeter of thebattery compartment 110 operationally configured to contact acathode case 45 of acoin cell battery 35 in a manner the same or substantially similar as abattery compartment 10 described above. With reference toFIG. 12 , thepositive terminal 127 and thenegative terminal 128 housed in themain body 101 are suitably operationally configured to electrically communicate with anegative contact 25 and apositive contact 30 within abattery compartment 10 of anoptical sight coin cell battery 35 in thebattery compartment 110 to theoptical sight optical sight device 100 is also operationally configured as a substitute battery compartment for anoptical sight -
FIGS. 16-23 illustrate an embodiment of adevice 100 operationally configured for use with one or more coin cell battery powered optical fights including, but not limited to the one or moreoptical sights device 100 of this embodiment is also operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to one or moreoptical sights device 100 of this embodiment is described below as being operationally configured to add a wake-up system such as a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF function to anoptical sight device 100 is electrically communicated with abattery compartment 10 of theoptical sight device 100 of this disclosure refers to an activation and deactivation function of an illumination source for a reticle of a correspondingoptical sight control circuitry 109 of thedevice 100 without completely powering thecontrol circuitry 109 to a true power OFF position when the illumination source for the reticle is deactivated. For example, thedevice 100 is operationally configured to maintain an electric current providing a low power idle type setting of thecontrol circuitry 109 of thedevice 100 when an illumination source for a reticle of a correspondingoptical sight - In this embodiment, the
device 100 includes amain body 101 and abattery cover 105 operationally configured to threadedly communicate with themain body 101. As shown, themain body 101 comprises anouter surface 102 including at least anouter perimeter surface 111, a first threadedouter surface 103, and a second threadedouter surface 113. Themain body 101 also comprises aninner surface 104 including at least a first threadedinner surface 116 and a second threadedinner surface 117. In this embodiment, themain body 101 is operationally configured as a housing for other components of thedevice 100 including at least a negative terminal 128 (or “negativeterminal plunger 128”), a positive terminal 127 (or “positiveterminal ring 127”), an insulator 129 (or “insulator ring 129”) disposed between thenegative terminal 128 and thepositive terminal 127, anegative contact spring 132,control circuitry 109 including aPCB 120, anegative battery contact 125 in electrical communication with thePCB 120, e.g., soldered to thePCB 120, and a positive battery contact 126 (or “positive contact ring 126”). - Referring to
FIGS. 16-19 , in an embodiment thenegative terminal 128 comprises a cap type member including asidewall 136 of a first outer diameter, aclosed end 135 and an outwardannular flange 137 of a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter. For purposes of assembly, thenegative terminal 128 is disposed within anannular insulator ring 129 comprising an inwardannular flange 140 operationally configured to overlap the outwardannular flange 137 of thenegative terminal 128 in a manner effective to maintain thenegative terminal 128 disposed within theannular insulator ring 129. Theannular insulator ring 129 further comprises an outwardannular flange 141 operationally configured to overlap an inwardannular flange 143 of thepositive terminal 127. Thepositive terminal 127 further comprises an outwardannular flange 144 operationally configured to overlap acircular projection 145 disposed along theinner surface 104 of themain body 101. When properly assembled, afirst side 121 of thePCB 120 is set in abutment with asecond side 139 of thepositive terminal 127 and a second side 146 of theannular insulator ring 129. In addition, asecond side 148 of thePCB 120 acts as a floor for afirst side 149 of thepositive contact ring 126 and ananode case 40 of a removablecoin cell battery 35. - As shown in
FIGS. 16 and 19 , thepositive contact ring 126 comprises a threadedouter surface 147 operationally configured to threadedly communicate with the second threadedinner surface 117 of themain body 101 in a manner effective to form a close fit of the components assembled within themain body 101 thereby preventing or minimizing linear movement of the components in either direction along the central axis A-A of the device 100 (seedirectional arrow 90A inFIG. 19 ) and also provide operable electrical communication between thedevice 100 and acorresponding battery compartment 10 of anoptical sight outer perimeter surface 131 of thePCB 120 and anouter perimeter surface 133 of thepositive terminal 127 lie in abutment with theinner surface 104 of themain body 101, an outer perimeter surface 134 of theinsulator ring 129 lies in abutment with aninner surface 138 of thepositive terminal 127 and thesidewall 136 of thenegative terminal 128 lies in abutment with aninner surface 142 of the inwardannular flange 140 of theinsulator ring 129 thereby preventing or minimizing lateral movement of these components within themain body 101 in either direction (seedirectional arrow 90B inFIG. 19 ). In addition, in this embodiment thenegative contact spring 132 is suitably biased against thenegative terminal 128 and thePCB 120 in a manner effective to prevent or minimize linear and lateral movement of thenegative contact spring 132 in either direction according todirectional arrows main body 101 is limited to any rotational movement that may be realized by one or more of thenegative terminal 128 and theinsulator ring 129 against thenegative contact spring 132. As such, thedevice 100 of this embodiment is advantageous in that only thepositive contact ring 126 is fixed to theinner surface 104 of themain body 101 providing for ease of assembly of the individual components of thedevice 100. In an embodiment, thepositive contact ring 126 may be mechanically fixed to the second threadedinner surface 117 via sufficient torqueing of thepositive contact ring 126. Additionally, one or more thread-locking fluids may be applied to the threadedouter surface 147 and/or the second threadedinner surface 117 to adhere thepositive contact ring 126 to theinner surface 104 of themain body 101. In another embodiment, it is contemplated that one or more components housed within themain body 101 may be fastened to theinner surface 104 and/or adhered to theinner surface 104 and/or threadedly communicated with theinner surface 104 of themain body 101. In one non-limiting embodiment, one or more components may be fastened to theinner surface 104 of themain body 101 via a keyway coupling or the like. - In an embodiment, the
PCB 120 may be electrically communicated with acoin cell battery 35 in thebattery compartment 110 via thenegative battery contact 125 and thepositive contact ring 126. As depicted inFIG. 16 , thenegative battery contact 125 may be disposed on thesecond side 148 of thePCB 120 in a manner effective for contacting ananode case 40 of acoin cell battery 35 that is housed in thebattery compartment 110. Suitably, thepositive contact ring 126, which encircles acoin cell battery 35 located in thebattery compartment 110, has an inner diameter effective for at least part of an outer perimeter of acathode case 45 of acoin cell battery 35 to contact thepositive contact ring 126 when thecoin cell battery 35 is positioned off-center within thepositive contact ring 126, i.e., in a scenario where acoin cell battery 35 housed in abattery compartment 110 is not axially aligned with themain body 101. To ensure a positive contact with thecathode case 45, abattery cover 105 of thedevice 100 may comprise one or more second positive contacts 160 (or “secondarypositive contacts 160”) suitably attached to aninner surface 161 of thebattery cover 105. As shown inFIG. 18 , in an embodiment a secondpositive contact 160 may include at least two sets of contacts, namely, (1) inner contacts (“inner fingers 164”) and (2) outer contacts (“outer fingers 165”). When thebattery cover 105 is turned to a desired tightened position on themain body 101, theinner fingers 164 are operationally configured to contact anoutermost side 47 of thecathode case 45 and theouter fingers 165 are operationally configured to contact thepositive contact ring 126. As such, in a scenario where acoin cell battery 35 does not contact thepositive contact ring 126, theouter fingers 165 provide a constant positive electrical connection in thebattery compartment 110. In an embodiment, a secondpositive contact 160 may be attached to abattery cover 105 via a retaining clip, a threaded fastener, one or more adhesives, and combinations thereof. - Referring to
FIG. 20 , when thedevice 100 of this embodiment is assembled, thepositive contact ring 126 is electrically communicated with thePCB 120 via an exposedcontact 167 on thesecond side 148 of thePCB 120, the exposedcontact 167 having a diameter the same or substantially similar as the diameter of thepositive contact ring 126 to provide an electrical connection between the exposedcontact 167 and thepositive contact ring 126 for powering thePCB 120. - In this embodiment, the
negative contact spring 132 is operationally configured to conduct a current between thePCB 120 and thenegative terminal 128. As depicted inFIG. 21 , thefirst side 121 of thePCB 120 comprises an inner circular exposedcontact 170 operationally configured to electrically communicate with thenegative contact spring 132 when thedevice 100 is assembled as shown inFIGS. 16 and 19 . As depicted inFIG. 19 , when assembled thenegative contact spring 132 is in electrical communication with thenegative terminal 128, which is operationally configured to electrically communicate with anegative contact 25 in abattery compartment 10 of anoptical sight negative contact spring 132 may be operationally configured to bias thenegative terminal 128 toward anegative contact 25 of anoptical sight negative contact 25 of anoptical sight - Referring again to
FIG. 21 , thefirst side 121 of thePCB 120 further comprises an outer circular exposedcontact 172 operationally configured to electrically communicate with thepositive terminal 127, which is operationally configured to electrically communicate with apositive contact 30 in thebattery compartment 10 as shown inFIG. 19 .FIG. 22 depicts electrical pathways for thedevice 100 when thedevice 100 is in electrical communication with abattery compartment 10 of anoptical sight directional arrows FIG. 22 ). In another embodiment, amain body 101 may comprise one or more electrically conductive metals providing one or more electrical pathways for operation of thedevice 100. - In another embodiment, a positive contact spring may be disposed between the
positive contact ring 126 and the exposedcontact 167 of thePCB 120 and thesidewall 136 of thenegative terminal 128 may extend out a distance effective for operable contact between theannular flange 137 of thenegative terminal 128 and the inner circular exposedcontact 170 of thePCB 120. - With particular reference to
FIGS. 16, 17 and 19 , thedevice 100 may also include a threadedlocking ring 175 operationally configured to threadedly communicate with the second threadedouter surface 113 on theouter surface 102 of themain body 101 in a manner effective to maintain a proper connection between thedevice 100 and abattery compartment 10 of anoptical sight device 100 installed on theoptical sight 6 inFIG. 23 . To prevent moisture and/or dirt from entering thebattery compartment 10 of anoptical sight device 100 may also include afirst seal 177 operationally configured to form a seal between the lockingring 175, theouter surface 102 and theouter rim 23 of thebattery compartment 10 of anoptical sight FIG. 19 ). To prevent moisture and/or dirt from entering thebattery compartment 110 of thedevice 100, thedevice 100 may also include asecond seal 179 disposed between thebattery cover 105 and theinner surface 104 of themain body 101. In this embodiment, theneck 122 of thebattery cover 105 and/or theinner surface 104 of themain body 101 may comprise an angled or groove type surface operationally configured to receive part of thesecond seal 179 as shown inFIG. 19 .Suitable seals - To add a low battery voltage indicating function to an
optical sight suitable PCB 120 may include voltage-measurement functionality corresponding to battery voltage and one or moreother PCB components 154 as described above for desired performance of thecontrol circuitry 109. In an embodiment, aMCU 150 may be programmed to periodically, e.g., for a desired time interval, alternate a ON/OFF condition of the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts, e.g., thepositive terminal 127 andnegative terminal 128, a number of times automatically in instances when measured voltage drops below a set value corresponding to a low battery voltage, for example 2.2 volts, indicating to the user the battery is nearly depleted. In a non-limiting example of operation of theaccessory 100 with a firearm optical sight, a user will see flashing reticle illumination to indicate to the user that the battery housed within thedevice 100 is nearly depleted and requires replacement. - To add a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF function to an
optical sight suitable PCB 120 may include aMCU 150, an input device such as a wake-up system including an accelerometer or motion sensor (“motion sensor 152”) mounted to thePCB 120 and one or moreother PCB components 154 as described above for desired performance of thecontrol circuitry 109. Onesuitable motion sensor 152 may comprise a mechanical motion sensor. In an embodiment, aMCU 150 may be programmed to (1) shut to OFF automatically in instances when no motion of thedevice 100 is detected for a programmed or set period of time, e.g., from or about 10.0 seconds up to or about 60.0 minutes or more via a time delay relay circuit, and (2) turn to ON automatically when the accelerometer ormotion sensor 152 detects motion of thedevice 100 and thus, motion of a correspondingoptical sight suitable motion sensor 152 may include a motion signal output in electrical communication with aMCU 150 comprising a detection circuit and a wake-up signal output. - In one exemplary scenario, a
device 100 as shown inFIG. 16 comprising amotion sensor 152 may be installed onto anoptical sight 6 equipped with an illuminated reticle (seeoptical sight 6 inFIG. 2 ) for the purpose of adding a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF function to theoptical sight 6. In operation, a user may first remove thebattery cover 15 from thebattery compartment 10 and then remove acoin cell battery 35 out from thebattery compartment 10 if present, exposing the inner surface of thebattery compartment 10 as shown inFIG. 6 . In one implementation, a user may then install thedevice 100 onto thebattery compartment 10 of theoptical sight 6 by screwing the first threadedsurface 103 of thedevice 100 onto the threadedsurface 11 of thebattery compartment 10 until thedevice 100 is turned to a desired tightened position on thebattery compartment 10. Thereafter, acoin cell battery 35 may be placed into thebattery compartment 110 of thedevice 100 and thebattery cover 105 may then be screwed onto thebattery compartment 110 enclosing thecoin cell battery 35 in thebattery compartment 110 thereby installing thedevice 100 onto theoptical sight 6 as shown inFIG. 23 . In another implementation, acoin cell battery 35,battery cover 105 andmain body 101 may be assembled prior to screwing thedevice 100 onto thebattery compartment 10 of theoptical sight 6. In another implementation, acoin cell battery 35 may be held within thebattery compartment 110 without including thebattery cover 105, e.g., via adhesive tape. In an embodiment, a new or fully-chargedcoin cell battery 35 may be used as a power source for thedevice 100 and theoptical sight 6. In an embodiment where thebattery compartment 10 of theoptical sight 6 houses acoin cell battery 35 with remaining charge, such pre-existingcoin cell battery 35 may be used as the power source for thedevice 100 and theoptical sight 6. Once thedevice 100 is installed onto theoptical sight 6 and theoptical sight 6 is mounted to afirearm 500 as shown inFIG. 24 , thedevice 100 is programmed to automatically deactivate illumination of the optical sight 6 (referred to herein as an “OFF position” of an illuminated reticle of the optical sight 6) in instances when thefirearm 500,optical sight 6 anddevice 100 rest motionless for a programmed period of time, e.g., a period such as 10.0 seconds to 20.0 minutes, by switching the circuit of thecontrol circuitry 109 to an open circuit, i.e., an OFF position, preventing thecoin cell battery 35 from being needlessly drained of power, which otherwise may occur in instances where anoptical sight 6 without thedevice 100 maintains an illuminated reticle (referred to herein as an “ON position” of an illuminated reticle of the optical sight 6) for long durations, e.g., several hours or more. -
FIG. 25 is a simplified electrical block diagram of an embodiment ofcontrol circuitry 109 of adevice 100 as described in reference toFIG. 16 including amotion sensor 152 and aMCU 150 comprising a timedelay relay circuit 155 in parallel with an existingillumination circuit 600 of a correspondingoptical sight FIG. 26 is a simplified electrical block diagram of an embodiment ofcontrol circuitry 109 of thedevice 100 as described in reference toFIG. 16 including amotion sensor 152 and aMCU 150 comprising a timedelay relay circuit 155 in series with an existinglighting circuit 600 of a correspondingoptical sight - A
device 100 as described in reference toFIGS. 16-23 may be built to scale and designed as desired or as may otherwise be required for operation with one or more particularoptical sights device 100 to a particular embodiment, oneexemplary device 100 suitable for use with one or more optical sights including one or moreoptical sights main body 101 andbattery cover 105 with dimensions as listed in Table 3. -
TABLE 3 Dimension (1) Main Body 101Outer Diameter at the Outer Surface 102from or about 25.0 mm to or about 35.0 mm Outer Diameter at the First and Second from or about 20.0 mm Threaded Outer Surfaces to or about 30.0 mm Height from or about 5.0 mm to or about 15.0 mm (2) Battery Cover 105Outer Diameter at the Neck 122from or about 20.0 mm to or about 30.0 mm Outer Diameter of Flange 123 at Outerfrom or about 25.0 mm Perimeter 114 to or about 35.0 mm Height of Flange 123 atOuter Perimeter 114from or about 0.0 mm to or about 10.0 mm Height of Cylindrical Neck 122from or about 2.0 mm to or about 10.0 mm - In another exemplary embodiment of a
device 100 operationally configured for use with a micro red dot optical sight, for example, the Aimpoint® T-1 micro red dot scope commercially available from Aimpoint AB, located in Malmo, Sweden, amain body 101 of thedevice 100 includes the dimensions as listed in Table 4. -
TABLE 4 Main Body 101Dimension Outer Diameter at the Outer Surface 10226.0 mm Outer Diameter at the First and Second 25.0 mm Threaded Outer Surfaces Height 11.5 mm - In an embodiment, a
device 100 may be provided as an OE component of an optical sight including, but not limited tooptical sights device 100 may be provided as an aftermarket item operationally configured for use with one or more existing optical sights, including, but not limited to theoptical sights device 100 of this disclosure may include any number of ornamental outer surface features corresponding to one or more existing optical sights, including, but not limited tooptical sights OE battery cover 105 may be provided as part of thedevice 100, the use of abattery cover 15 of a correspondingoptical sight optical sight - As understood by the skilled artisan, optical sights are often provided in colors including (1) black, (2) silver, (3) army green or olive drab (“OD”) green, a color often referred to as “flat dark earth,” (4) one of a plurality of camouflage patterns, and combinations thereof. As such, a
device 100 of this disclosure may include amain body 101 and/orbattery cover 105 having an exterior surface comprising any color, color combination or pattern including one or more of the above listed colors or a particular camouflage pattern for use with one or more particular color or camouflage patterned optical sights, including one or more particularoptical sights - Common commercially available
optical sights optical sight optical sights battery compartment 10 constructed from one or more metals may include a chrome-plated surface finish as desired. Exemplary electrically conductive metals may include, but are not limited to silver, copper, gold, aluminum, zinc, nickel, chromium, and combinations thereof. Exemplary plastics used in optical sight construction include one or more injection molded polymers. Exemplary composite materials include, but are not limited to glass-filled polymer, e.g., glass-filled nylon. As such, themain body 101 and/orbattery cover 105 of adevice 100 of this disclosure may be constructed from one or more of the above described materials including the same or similar material(s) as one or more particular optical sight battery compartments 10. In one non-limiting embodiment of thedevice 100, themain body 101 may be constructed of aluminum, thebattery cover 105 may be constructed of aluminum, thenegative terminal 128 may be constructed of plated steel, theinsulator ring 129 may be constructed of nylon plastic, thepositive terminal 127 may be constructed of plated aluminum, thenegative contact spring 132 may be constructed of plated stainless steel, thenegative battery contact 125 may be constructed of plated stainless steel, thepositive contact ring 126 may be constructed of plated aluminum, the secondpositive contact 160 may be constructed of plated stainless steel, and the exposedcontacts PCB 120 may comprise gold-plated copper trace. In one non-limiting embodiment, the conductor parts of thedevice 100 may be plated with electroless nickel. -
FIGS. 27-29 provide non-limiting examples of adevice 100 of this disclosure operationally configured for use with a coincell battery compartment 10 of one or more optical sights including one or moreoptical sights device 100 comprising one or more user input components. For example,FIG. 27 illustrates an embodiment of adevice 100 comprising at least one user input component comprising apush button 280.FIG. 28 illustrates an embodiment of adevice 100 comprising at least one user input component comprising aswitch 282 in the form of a rotary dial switch.FIG. 29 illustrates an embodiment of adevice 100 comprising at least one user input component comprising abiometric security scanner 284. The embodiments ofFIGS. 27-29 each comprisecontrol circuitry 109 with design specifications effective for performance of particular add-on operating functions according to the one or more user input components. As understood by the skilled artisan,control circuitry 109 design specifications may vary based on the one or more user input components included and one or more add-on operating functions for aparticular device 100. - In addition to operation with an optical sight for one or more projectile launching devices, it is also contemplated that a
device 100 of this disclosure may be operationally configured for use with one or more other devices comprising removable batteries or other removable power sources including, but not limited to one or more radios, one or more hand held communication devices, one or more cameras, one or more rangefinders, one or more night vision weapon sights, one or more flashlights, one or more laser pointers, one or more headphones, one or more medical devices, one or more toys, one or more remote controls, one or more key fobs, one or more holiday ornaments, and one or more flameless candles. - With reference to
FIG. 30 , in another embodiment adevice 100 of this disclosure may be operationally configured for use with anoptical sight 8 similar asoptical sights battery compartment 10 with an outer threadedsurface 22 for receiving an inner threaded surface of acorresponding battery cover 15. In this embodiment, themain body 101 of thedevice 100 suitably comprises an inner threaded surface operationally configured to threadedly communicate with the outer threadedsurface 22 ofbattery compartment 10. - In still another embodiment, a device of this disclosure may also be operationally configured for use with one or more optical sights comprising an elongated cylindrical type battery compartment. One non-limiting example of an optical sight comprising a cylindrical type battery compartment includes the Aimpoint® 9000SC-NV™ 2 MOA—Red Dot Reflex Sight commercially available from Aimpoint AB, located in Malmo, Sweden. Another non-limiting example of an
optical sight 205 comprising an elongated cylindrical type battery compartment for housing a cylindrical battery is described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,939,229 B2, titled “Gun Scope with Battery Compartment,” published on Apr. 10, 2018, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Another non-limiting example of an optical sight comprising a cylindrical type battery compartment is shown inFIG. 31 , hereafter referred to generally as “optical sight 205.” As described below, adevice 200 of this embodiment is operationally configured to electrically communicate with acylindrical battery 295 housed in a cylindricaltype battery compartment 210 of anoptical sight 205 in a manner effective to add one or more operating functions to theoptical sight 205. - Referring to
FIG. 32 , a common cylindricaltype battery compartment 210 includes (1) an open end with a threadedinner surface 212 for threaded communication with a threadedsurface 216 of abattery cover 215, (2) a closed end comprising apositive contact 214 for making an electrical connection with a raisedpositive terminal 296 of acylindrical battery 295 as shown, and (3) a cylindrical sidewallinner surface 218 disposed there between. As understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, thebattery cover 215 includes anegative contact 220 operationally configured to make an electrical connection with anegative terminal 297 of thecylindrical battery 295 when thebattery cover 215 is threaded onto thebattery compartment 210 as shown. - Referring to
FIG. 33 , in an embodiment, thedevice 200 may be operationally configured as a substitute battery cover for abattery compartment 210 of anoptical sight 205 and operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to theoptical sight 205. In another embodiment, thedevice 200 may be provided as an OE battery cover of abattery compartment 210 for anoptical sight 205. - In an embodiment, the
device 200 may be provided as an assembly comprising (1) anegative contact 228, (2) anegative contact spring 232, (3) aninsulator ring 229, (4) an annularnegative terminal 233, (4) control circuitry including at least onePCB 248, and (5) anouter cover 241. In this embodiment, thenegative contact 228 is provided as a cap type member comprising asidewall 236 of a first outer diameter, aclosed end 235 and an outwardannular flange 237 of a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter. For purposes of assembly, thenegative contact 228 is disposed within anannular insulator ring 229 comprising an inwardannular flange 240 operationally configured to overlap the outwardannular flange 237 in a manner effective to maintain thenegative contact 228 disposed within theinsulator ring 229. Theinsulator ring 229 further comprises an outer threadedsurface 238 operationally configured for threaded communication with a first inner threadedsurface 242 of thenegative terminal 233. Thenegative terminal 233 includes an outer threadedsurface 243 operationally configured for threaded communication with threadedinner surface 212 of thebattery compartment 210. Thenegative terminal 233 also comprises a second inner threadedsurface 245 operationally configured for threaded communication with an outer threadedsurface 247 of acylindrical neck 246 of theouter cover 241. - The inner surface of the
negative terminal 233 further includes a non-threaded surface 244 disposed between the first inner threadedsurface 242 and the second inner threadedsurface 245 operationally configured as an abutment surface or seat for anouter perimeter surface 249 of thePCB 248. Although thenon-threaded surface 245 is not limited to a particular configuration, as shown inFIG. 33 thenon-threaded surface 245 may be provided as a right angle surface effective as an abutment surface for theouter perimeter surface 249 and a second side of thePCB 248. - When properly assembled, the
closed end 235 of thenegative contact 228 lies in abutment with thenegative terminal 297 of thecylindrical battery 295 and afirst side 253 of thePCB 248 lies in abutment with a second side 231 of theinsulator ring 229. In addition, asecond side 256 of thePCB 248 is operationally configured as an abutment surface for an inner surface 250 of theouter cover 241. In another embodiment, an assembleddevice 200 may include a space between the inner surface 250 of theouter cover 241 and thesecond side 256 of thePCB 248. - In this embodiment, the
outer cover 241 includes aflange 251 with afirst side 263 operationally configured to abut anouter perimeter surface 217 at the open end of thebattery compartment 210. To prevent moisture and/or dirt from entering thebattery compartment 210 of thedevice 200, thedevice 200 may also include aseal 255 disposed between theflange 251 of theouter cover 241, theinner surface 218 ofbattery compartment 210, and anouter surface 257 of thenegative terminal 233 as shown inFIG. 33 . In this embodiment, theouter surface 257 of thenegative terminal 233 comprises an angled surface operationally configured to receive part of theseal 255 as shown. In another embodiment, anouter surface 257 may include a groove or slot type surface. Asuitable seal 255 includes, but is not limited to a rubber O-ring, a rubber annular gasket, and combinations thereof. - In another embodiment, the
outer cover 241 may be provided as a raised flangeless cylindrical member or as a flangeless cylindrical member that lies flush or substantially flush with theouter perimeter surface 217 of thebattery compartment 210. In addition, anouter surface 252 of theouter cover 241 may include one or more slotted surfaces similar as the one or more slottedsurfaces 119 as shown inFIG. 10 and/or tooling cavities similar as thetooling cavities 112 shown inFIG. 13 to assist in turning thedevice 200 both clockwise and counter-clockwise when screwing thedevice 200 on and off of acorresponding battery compartment 210. - Suitably, a
device 200 of this embodiment is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to anoptical sight 205 when thedevice 200 is in electrical communication with acylindrical battery 295 housed in abattery compartment 210 of anoptical sight 205 for powering thePCB 248. The one or more operating functions to be added to anoptical sight 205 may comprise one or more operating functions as described above in discussion ofdevice 100. For example, in an embodiment adevice 200 may be operationally configured to add a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF function to anoptical sight 205 for operation as described above when thedevice 200 is electrically communicated with abattery compartment 210 as shown inFIG. 33 . In such an embodiment, aPCB 248 may comprise a MCU as described above, amotion sensor 260 and one or moreother PCB components 154 as described above for desired performance of the control circuitry of thedevice 200. In addition, thePCB 248 may include a circular exposed contact similar as the inner circular exposedcontact 170 described above that is operationally configured to electrically communicate with thenegative contact spring 232 biased against both thenegative contact 228 and the exposed contact on thePCB 248 when thedevice 200 is assembled as shown. In operation, the other part of a circuit of thedevice 200 is achieved through thebattery compartment 210, e.g., the threadedinner surface 212 or other contact surface of thenegative terminal 233. - A
device 200 of this embodiment may be constructed of one or more materials as described above and include one or more colors, color combinations, patterns and/or surface finishes as described above in relation todevice 100. In one non-limiting embodiment of thedevice 200, anegative contact 228 may be constructed of plated aluminum, anegative contact spring 232 may be constructed of plated stainless steel, aninsulator ring 229 may be constructed of nylon plastic, anegative terminal 233 may be constructed of gold plated copper, and anouter cover 241 may be constructed of anodized aluminum. - In another embodiment where the
device 200 is provided as part of an OE optical sight, thedevice 200 may be provided as a snap-on type cover configuration or a quarter-turn type locking cover configuration. - In still another embodiment, a
device 200 may be provided comprising a configuration the same or similar as abattery cover 215 as shown inFIG. 32 wherein a negative contact and control circuitry, e.g., at least onePCB 248, are secured to an inner surface of the device 200 (similar as the location of thenegative contact 220 inFIG. 32 ). - The disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following non-limiting examples, which are illustrative only and not intended to limit the present disclosure to a particular embodiment.
- In a first non-limiting example, a
device 100 of this disclosure as discussed in reference toFIGS. 10-29 may be operationally configured for use with one or more optical sights as described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,488,156 B2, titled “Optical System Accessory with Cant Indication,” published on Nov. 26, 2019, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety; U.S. Pat. No. 9,982,965 B2, titled “Inner Red-Dot Gun Sighting Device Powered by Solar Cell and Provided with Micro-Current LED Light Source,” published May 29, 2018, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety; U.S. Pat. No. 9,316,460 B2, titled “One Hand Operational Combo Sight Device,” published on Apr. 19, 2016, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety; and United States Patent Application Publication Number US 2021/0247163 A1, titled “Telescopic Sight Having Ballistic Group Storage,” published on Aug. 12, 2021, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. - In a second non-limiting example, a simplified electrical block diagram is provided in
FIG. 34 depicting an embodiment ofcontrol circuitry 109 of adevice 100 as described in reference toFIG. 16 including amotion sensor 152 and aMCU 150 comprising a timedelay relay circuit 155 and a batteryvoltage measurement circuit 157 in parallel with an existingillumination circuit 600 of a correspondingoptical sight - In a third non-limiting example, a simplified electrical block diagram is provided in
FIG. 35 depicting an embodiment ofcontrol circuitry 109 of thedevice 100 as described in reference toFIG. 16 including amotion sensor 152 and aMCU 150 comprising a timedelay relay circuit 155 and a batteryvoltage measurement circuit 157 in series with an existinglighting circuit 600 of a correspondingoptical sight - Although the present disclosure is described in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more other embodiments whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the embodiments described herein.
- Terms and phrases used in this disclosure, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like, the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more,” “one or a plurality” or the like.
- An accessory for use with a battery powered device, comprising:
-
- (a) a battery compartment, the battery compartment comprising electrical input contacts;
- (b) control circuitry in electrical communication with the electrical input contacts; and
- (c) circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts;
- (d) wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with a power source and when the accessory is in electrical communication with the battery powered device, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the battery powered device.
- The accessory of Embodiment 1, wherein when the battery compartment is in electrical communication with one or more batteries and wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with a battery powered device battery compartment, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the battery powered device.
- The accessory of Embodiment 2, wherein the accessory comprises a main body removably attachable to the battery powered device battery compartment, wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with the battery powered device battery compartment, then the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts are in electrical contact with battery powered device battery compartment electrical input contacts.
- The accessory of Embodiment 1, wherein when one or more removable batteries are located within the battery compartment, wherein when the electrical input contacts are in electrical communication with the one or more removable batteries, and wherein when the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts are in electrical contact with battery powered device battery compartment electrical input contacts, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the battery powered device.
- The accessory of Embodiment 1, wherein when the battery compartment is in electrical communication with one or more batteries and wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with a coin cell battery compartment of the battery powered device, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the battery powered device.
- The accessory of Embodiment 1, wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with the coin cell battery compartment of the battery powered device, then the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts are in electrical contact with battery powered device battery compartment electrical input contacts.
- The accessory of Embodiment 1, wherein the control circuitry includes one or more motion sensors, one or more timers, one or more time delay relay circuits, one or more power regulation circuits, and combinations thereof.
- The accessory of
Embodiment 7, wherein the one or more operating functions comprise a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF power function. - The accessory of
Embodiment 7, wherein the control circuitry is operationally configured to deactivate the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts after a set period of accessory non-motion is realized setting the accessory to an OFF position and wherein the control circuitry is operationally configured to activate the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts when the control circuitry detects accessory motion. - The accessory of Embodiment 1, wherein the accessory includes one or more low battery indicators and wherein the control circuitry includes one or more voltage sensors, one or more voltage measurement circuits, and combinations thereof.
- The accessory of
Embodiment 10, wherein the control circuitry is operationally configured to indicate low battery voltage by periodically alternating a ON/OFF condition of the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts when the one or more voltage measurement circuits determine battery voltage is less than a set value for the battery voltage. - The accessory of Embodiment 1, wherein the control circuitry comprises one or more motion sensors, one or more tilt sensors, one or more light sensors, one or more thermal sensors, one or more image sensors, one or more capacitive touch sensors, one or more biometric sensors, one or more time delay relay circuits, one or more clock circuits, one or more counter circuits, one or more wireless control circuits, one or more analog-to-digital converters, one or more digital-to-analog converters, one or more power regulation circuits, one or more voltage sensors, circuits to perform logic functions, one or more electromagnetic sensors, one or more global positioning system antennas, and combinations thereof.
- The accessory of Embodiment 1, wherein the battery powered device includes a battery powered device battery compartment operationally configured to hold one or more removable batteries in electrical contact therewith and wherein the battery compartment of the accessory is operationally configured to hold the one or more removable batteries in electrical contact therewith for powering the accessory and the battery powered device when the accessory is in electrical communication with the battery powered device battery compartment.
- The accessory of Embodiment 1, wherein the control circuitry comprises a printed circuit board including a microcontroller unit and a motion sensor in electrical communication with the microcontroller unit, wherein the motion sensor is operationally configured to detect motion of the accessory and wherein the microcontroller unit is programmed to turn the accessory OFF when no motion of the device is detected for a particular time period and programmed to turn the accessory ON when the motion sensor detects motion of the accessory.
- The accessory of Embodiment 1, further comprising a battery compartment cover removably attachable to the battery compartment.
- The accessory of Embodiment 1, wherein the battery powered device is a firearm optical sight.
- An accessory for use with a device having a coin cell battery compartment, comprising:
-
- (a) a battery compartment, the battery compartment comprising electrical input contacts operable with a coin cell battery;
- (b) a battery compartment cover;
- (c) control circuitry in electrical communication with the electrical input contacts; and
- (d) circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts;
- (e) wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with the coin cell battery and when the accessory is in electrical contact with the coin cell battery compartment of the device, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the device.
- The accessory of
Embodiment 17, wherein the device is a firearm optical sight. - A method of providing one or more operating functions to a battery powered device powered by one or more removable batteries, comprising:
-
- (a) electrically communicating an accessory with a battery powered device battery compartment of the battery powered device, the accessory comprising:
- (1) a main body removably attachable to the battery powered device battery compartment, the main body including:
- (i) a battery compartment, the battery compartment comprising electrical input contacts;
- (ii) control circuitry in electrical communication with the electrical input contacts; and
- (iii) circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts;
- (iv) wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with a power source and when the accessory is in electrical communication with the battery powered device battery compartment, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add the one or more operating functions to the battery powered device.
- A method of providing one or more operating functions to a battery powered firearm optical sight powered by one or more removable batteries, comprising:
-
- (a) electrically communicating an accessory with a firearm optical sight battery compartment of the firearm optical sight, the accessory comprising:
- (1) a main body removably attachable to the firearm optical sight battery compartment, the main body including:
- (i) a battery compartment, the battery compartment comprising electrical input contacts;
- (ii) control circuitry in electrical communication with the electrical input contacts; and
- (iii) circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts;
- (iv) wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with a power source and when the accessory is in electrical communication with the firearm optical sight battery compartment, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add the one or more operating functions to the firearm optical sight.
- The method of
Embodiment 19 andEmbodiment 20, wherein the one or more operating functions comprise a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF function, a light sensing function, a thermal sensing function, a shock sensing function, one or more informational digital display functions, a video recording function, an audio recording function, a voice recognition function, a microphone function, an audible speaker function, one or more clock functions, one or more timer functions, one or more illumination functions, e.g., one or more indicator light functions, one or more flashlight functions, one or more wireless connectivity functions, i.e., wire-replacement communications technology, electrical communication port or interface functionality, and combinations thereof. - An accessory for firearm optical sight use, comprising:
-
- (a) a battery compartment comprising a positive battery contact and a negative battery contact; and
- (b) control circuitry;
- (c) wherein when a coin cell battery is in electrical contact with the positive battery contact and the negative battery contact and when the accessory is in electrical communication with a coin cell battery compartment of the firearm optical sight then the control circuitry is operationally configured to provide the firearm optical sight with a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF power function.
- An accessory operable with a firearm optical sight battery compartment, comprising:
-
- (a) a battery compartment; and
- (b) control circuitry in electrical communication with the battery compartment;
- (c) wherein the accessory is operationally configured to maintain an electrical connection with a positive contact and a negative contact of the firearm optical sight battery compartment of the firearm optical sight; and
- (d) wherein the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the firearm optical sight.
- An accessory operable with a firearm optical sight battery compartment, comprising:
-
- (a) a battery compartment;
- (b) control circuitry in electrical communication with the battery compartment;
- (c) a positive power output contact in electrical communication with the control circuitry; and
- (d) a negative power output contact in electrical communication with the control circuitry;
- (e) wherein the positive power output contact is operationally configured to electrically communicate with a firearm optical sight battery compartment positive input contact and the negative power output contact is operationally configured to electrically communicate with the firearm optical sight battery compartment negative input contact; and
- (f) wherein the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the firearm optical sight.
- An accessory for use with a firearm optical sight, comprising:
-
- (a) a main body removably attachable to a coin cell battery compartment of the firearm optical sight, the main body including:
- (1) a battery compartment;
- (2) control circuitry in electrical communication with the battery compartment;
- (3) a positive power output contact in electrical communication with the control circuitry; and
- (4) a negative power output contact in electrical communication with the control circuitry;
- (5) wherein the positive power output contact is operationally configured to electrically communicate with a positive contact of a coin cell battery compartment of the firearm optical sight and wherein the negative power output contact is operationally configured to electrically communicate with a negative contact of the coin cell battery compartment of the firearm optical sight to power the firearm optical sight; and
- (6) wherein the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more functions to the firearm optical sight.
- A system, comprising:
-
- (a) a firearm;
- (b) an optical sight operably secured to the firearm, the optical sight comprising an illuminated reticle and a coin cell battery compartment; and
- (c) an accessory, comprising:
- (1) a battery compartment, the battery compartment comprising electrical input contacts;
- (2) control circuitry in electrical communication with the electrical input contacts; and
- (3) circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts;
- (4) wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with a power source and when the accessory is in electrical communication with the optical sight, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the optical sight.
- Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many modifications may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The embodiment(s) described herein are meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the invention, which is defined in the claims.
Claims (19)
1. An accessory for use with a battery powered device, comprising:
a battery compartment, the battery compartment comprising electrical input contacts;
control circuitry in electrical communication with the electrical input contacts; and
circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts;
wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with a power source and when the accessory is in electrical communication with the battery powered device, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the battery powered device.
2. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein when the battery compartment is in electrical communication with one or more batteries and wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with a battery powered device battery compartment, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the battery powered device.
3. The accessory of claim 2 , wherein the accessory comprises a main body removably attachable to the battery powered device battery compartment, wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with the battery powered device battery compartment, then the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts are in electrical contact with battery powered device battery compartment electrical input contacts.
4. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein when one or more removable batteries are located within the battery compartment, wherein when the electrical input contacts are in electrical communication with the one or more removable batteries, and wherein when the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts are in electrical contact with battery powered device battery compartment electrical input contacts, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the battery powered device.
5. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein when the battery compartment is in electrical communication with one or more batteries and wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with a coin cell battery compartment of the battery powered device, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the battery powered device.
6. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with the coin cell battery compartment of the battery powered device, then the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts are in electrical contact with battery powered device battery compartment electrical input contacts.
7. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry includes one or more motion sensors, one or more timers, one or more time delay relay circuits, one or more power regulation circuits, and combinations thereof.
8. The accessory of claim 7 , wherein the one or more operating functions comprise a motion sensing automatic ON/OFF power function.
9. The accessory of claim 7 , wherein the control circuitry is operationally configured to deactivate the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts after a set period of accessory non-motion is realized setting the accessory to an OFF position and wherein the control circuitry is operationally configured to activate the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts when the control circuitry detects accessory motion.
10. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the accessory includes one or more low battery indicators and wherein the control circuitry includes one or more voltage sensors, one or more voltage measurement circuits, and combinations thereof.
11. The accessory of claim 10 , wherein the control circuitry is operationally configured to indicate low battery voltage by periodically alternating a ON/OFF condition of the circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts when the one or more voltage measurement circuits determine battery voltage is less than a set value for the battery voltage.
12. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry comprises one or more motion sensors, one or more tilt sensors, one or more light sensors, one or more thermal sensors, one or more image sensors, one or more capacitive touch sensors, one or more biometric sensors, one or more time delay relay circuits, one or more clock circuits, one or more counter circuits, one or more wireless control circuits, one or more analog-to-digital converters, one or more digital-to-analog converters, one or more power regulation circuits, one or more voltage sensors, circuits to perform logic functions, one or more electromagnetic sensors, one or more global positioning system antennas, and combinations thereof.
13. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the battery powered device includes a battery powered device battery compartment operationally configured to hold one or more removable batteries in electrical contact therewith and wherein the battery compartment of the accessory is operationally configured to hold the one or more removable batteries in electrical contact therewith for powering the accessory and the battery powered device when the accessory is in electrical communication with the battery powered device battery compartment.
14. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry comprises a printed circuit board including a microcontroller unit and a motion sensor in electrical communication with the microcontroller unit, wherein the motion sensor is operationally configured to detect motion of the accessory and wherein the microcontroller unit is programmed to turn the accessory OFF when no motion of the device is detected for a particular time period and programmed to turn the accessory ON when the motion sensor detects motion of the accessory.
15. The accessory of claim 1 , further comprising a battery compartment cover removably attachable to the battery compartment.
16. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the battery powered device is a firearm optical sight.
17. An accessory for use with a device having a coin cell battery compartment, comprising:
a battery compartment, the battery compartment comprising electrical input contacts operable with a coin cell battery;
a battery compartment cover;
control circuitry in electrical communication with the electrical input contacts; and
circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts;
wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with the coin cell battery and when the accessory is in electrical contact with the coin cell battery compartment of the device, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add one or more operating functions to the device.
18. The accessory of claim 17 , wherein the device is a firearm optical sight.
19. A method of providing one or more operating functions to a battery powered device powered by one or more removable batteries, comprising:
electrically communicating an accessory with a battery powered device battery compartment of the battery powered device, the accessory comprising:
a main body removably attachable to the battery powered device battery compartment, the main body including:
a battery compartment, the battery compartment comprising electrical input contacts;
control circuitry in electrical communication with the electrical input contacts; and
circuitry-controlled electrical output contacts;
wherein when the accessory is in electrical communication with a power source and when the accessory is in electrical communication with the battery powered device battery compartment, then the control circuitry is operationally configured to add the one or more operating functions to the battery powered device.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US18/210,284 US20230411763A1 (en) | 2022-06-16 | 2023-06-15 | Device, assembly, system and method for optical sight use |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US202263353002P | 2022-06-16 | 2022-06-16 | |
US18/210,284 US20230411763A1 (en) | 2022-06-16 | 2023-06-15 | Device, assembly, system and method for optical sight use |
Publications (1)
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US20230411763A1 true US20230411763A1 (en) | 2023-12-21 |
Family
ID=89169523
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US18/210,284 Pending US20230411763A1 (en) | 2022-06-16 | 2023-06-15 | Device, assembly, system and method for optical sight use |
Country Status (2)
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US (1) | US20230411763A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2023244755A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US8695267B2 (en) * | 2006-02-04 | 2014-04-15 | Lasermax, Inc. | Firearm mount with embedded sight |
EP3997411A4 (en) * | 2019-07-10 | 2023-12-13 | Primary Arms, LLC | Solar powered cap assembly for optical sighting systems |
IL297862A (en) * | 2020-05-05 | 2023-01-01 | Sheltered Wings Inc D/B/A Vortex Optics | Viewing optic with an enabler interface |
-
2023
- 2023-06-15 US US18/210,284 patent/US20230411763A1/en active Pending
- 2023-06-15 WO PCT/US2023/025467 patent/WO2023244755A1/en unknown
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